AFTER two years and seven months of back-breaking effort, the finish line is finally in sight for local legend Dave Holby.

Popularly known as Dave the Rower, the 29-year-old has just 600 kilometres left of his 40,075km-challenge to row around the world on a static rowing machine in The Malls shopping centre.

The fantastic fundraiser, of Rainham Close, Kempshott, Basingstoke, has already raised £15,600 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and he hopes to get as much support as possible in the run up to the moment he crosses the finishing line on Saturday, December 18.

This week, he admitted that he will have mixed emotions when he steps off his rowing machine.

He told The Gazette: “Physically, I will be delighted but emotionally I will be a wreck.

“I think there will be a strange feeling when it’s done.

“People have asked me what I will do and I think it is going to take a little time to adjust.”

The challenge to become the first person to row the distance of the equator on a static machine started in May 2008 after bosses at The Guinness World Records said they would create a new category especially for Dave.

Moved by the death of his grandmother from breast cancer, the jobbing actor has since become a regular fixture in The Malls, and his rowing machine is adorned with words of support by well-wishers.

He burns 4,000 calories a day and rows around 350km a week, living on a high-energy diet of pasta mixed with tuna, pesto and cheese.

Along the way, he has scooped seven world records for various endurance rowing challenges, was honoured at this year’s A Place to be Proud Of Awards, and launched a charity album featuring Basingstoke bands.

But Dave cites the support he has received from the town as the highlight of the challenge.

He said: “The support has been brilliant – without it I would have cracked. It’s a brilliant town full of brilliant people and I feel humble to be part of it.”