Rowing team battles on but hopes of a world record are sinking fast

The Toby Wallace crew, made up of seven rowers including 47-year-old Steve Harpin from Shrewsbury and skipper Simon Chalk from Loggerheads near Market Drayton, is aiming to reach Barbados by Christmas Day or Boxing Day to set a new record for the crossing from Gran Canaria.

But despite rowing 75 nautical miles – about 84 regular miles – a day, the crew is still about 1,000 nautical miles away and at its current pace will not arrive in the Caribbean for another 13 days.

The boat's progress can be tracked online, and Mr Harpin is using the challenge to raise money for the Bickerstaff Endoscopy Unit at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital. He hopes to hit £5,000 on his return.

Gemma Chalk, from Oceanus Rowing, organisers of the row, said: "In a few days and they will be counting down from 1,000 nautical miles which is a huge psychological barrier for the crew – Barbados beckons!

"The Toby Wallace crew reached the halfway mark mid-afternoon on Tuesday which they were very excited about.

"They had a really large marlin following them all day one day, as they had lots of fish around the boat so that provided them with some entertainment for the day,

"They also had an incredibly clear night this week and saw lots of shooting stars which was awesome for the team."

The crew was initially rowing against rival team Oystershack,which included businessman Christophe Legeais from Telford, both hoping to beat the other to the world record title.

But two weeks into the row, one crew member Mads Fabricius was suffering from sores on his legs which were not improving with antibiotics.

And when Mr Fabricius was taken off the boat, it was damaged forcing the team to abandon the race.

To follow the Toby Wallace's progress visit http?//www.oceanusrowing.co.uk/atlantic-ocean-rowing and to donate to the Bickerstaff Endoscopy unit at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital visit www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Harpin