Third Atlantic trip for Rowing Marine

MISSION TO RAISE MONEY FOR REHAB OF UKRAINIAN SERVICE PERSONNEL

- ANDY PHILLIPS

A ONE-legged former Royal Marine is planning to row across the Atlantic Ocean for the third time as part of a five-man crew raising money for injured Ukrainian servicemen.

Lee Spencer has been dubbed the ‘Rowing Marine’ for his incredible feats which include the fastest solo unsupported Atlantic row.

Mr Spencer, who lives in Horrabridge, is undertaking his latest ocean rowing challenge with a Beefeater and three Ukrainian servicemen, despite now being 55.

They aim to raise money for the Invictus Games Foundation and the The Royal Marines Charity, who are helping with logistics and financial oversight. Their mission, called Row4Ukraine, will see money ringfenced for Ukrainian wounded, injured and sick (WIS) service personnel to enable rehabilitation through sport and adventure.

But their effort is about raising awareness of the ‘human cost of the war in Ukraine borne by Ukrainian service personnel’.

“I passionately believe in what we are doing,” Lee told The Herald. “I said I would never row again. I couldn’t see the point of it, having done it twice and got four world records from it. It needed to be a good reason.