A keen sportsman from Bushey has taken part in an "incredible and unique" rowing challenge in aid of Human Papilloma Virus.

On July 16, Alistair Flowers, 31, of Belmont Road, formed part of a team of four who took on the NOMAN Campaign’s Ibiza to Barcelona Rowing Race last week for HPV, which involved rowing a distance of 200 miles in two boats with two tiny cabins, two rowing seats and little room for manoeuvre.

Mr Flowers’s team mates included Stephanie Jones, 27, a senior research scientist at the University of Oxford, comedian Justin Coleman, 49, and 16-year-old Eoin Hartwright, who had already achieved the amazing feat of crossing the Atlantic in a similar vessel.

Previous to the challenge, Mr Flowers had no rowing experience, but has completed four ultra-marathons which were 40 miles, 45 miles, 50 miles and 60km long.

He said: "I started off the race in high spirits and felt very strong.

"It was great to be out in the middle of nowhere without emails or phone calls, or much to worry about apart from eating, drinking and rowing."

But on July 19, it dawned on the team that temperatures would rise between 30 and 40 degrees.

He said: "I felt very strong, but very hot. One of my team mates came off shift feeling quite ill, so after a half hour break myself, I got back on the oars to give them an extended rest.

"This means I rowed from 9am until 10.30am, followed by a 30 minute break, and then rowed from 11am to 1pm, during the hottest part of the day."

Mr Flowers abandoned the NOMAN Campaign after 36 hours suffering dehydration, disorientation, illness and an inability to function on his own.

He said: "I recovered after drinking a lot of water and getting some sleep.

"From Monday, July 20 I pitched in where I could as support crew. It felt the right thing to do as I was still on an adventure and my crew was still out there rowing.

"I learnt a lot and this won’t be the last time I head out to see."

Chris Martin, NOMAN race organiser of New Ocean Wave, added: "The Ibiza to Barcelona race is very special as we see every day people from all walks of life taking on this incredible and unique challenge.

"They do this not only for the joy of personal growth but also to raise funds for a charity they have become passionate about since signing up for the race."

To continue donating and to support Mr Flowers cause, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/alflowersrows