A FORMER Chard rugby player is set to take on the ‘world’s toughest row’ in just two weeks time.

Richard ‘Tiny’ Baker will fly out to La Gomera in the Canary Islands this week .

Then, on December 12, his team will set off on their epic Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge.

The group will finish 3,000 miles away in the Caribbean - specifically Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour in Antigua and Barbuda.

Tiny’s team, the Atlantic Mavericks, also consists of Ian Davies, Roy Dixon and Ian Duncan.

They have been holding events to raise money and awareness of their challenge. These include Tiny standing outside Tesco and collecting money.

He said: “It went very well chatting to loads of generous people and I managed to get about £400 in my bucket.

“We will meet it at the start in La Gomera on December 1 for last minute sea trials and inspections before the start on December 12.

“I have had donations from Doncaster’s, Numatic and Atom Fabs made us some riggers for the boat.”

Tiny and his team are still hoping to get more companies to back their fundraising challenge.

A spokesman for the team said: “We are all ex-forces aged over 50, who unlike some have transitioned well back in civilian life and for that we are thankful.

“The aim of this challenge is to raise awareness and funds for some worthwhile charities and to inspire others by showing that no matter what your circumstances or age you are still able to achieve incredible things.”

For the Atlantic challenge, each team will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes over a race.

Rowers will row for two hours, and sleep for two hours, constantly, 24 hours a day.

More than £6million has been raised for charities worldwide over the past four races.