A FORMER Basingstoke rugby star is gearing up for an oar-some adventure tackling one of the world’s most perilous oceans.

Dave Lambert will have to overcome towering waves, ferocious tropical storms and hungry sharks, when he attempts to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a tiny rowing boat.

The Army Air Corps officer and former Basingstoke RFC full back is embarking on the gruelling 3,000 nautical mile journey – dubbed the world’s toughest row – to raise money for two charities reaching out to disadvantaged children and injured service personnel.

The Apache helicopter pilot famously trained Prince Harry during his tour of Afghanistan and has been awarded an MBE.

Now pupils at his former school have rallied round to give him a helping hand.

Youngsters from Lord Wandsworth College, near Hook, completed a 24-hour rowathon in support of his mission.

Ten teams consisting of staff and pupils raised £2,000 towards his challenge when they rowed the equivalent distance he must cover, but from the comfort of a rowing machine in the school’s sports hall.

Mr Lambert, who is the school’s most decorated alumni, sets off on the journey on December 15, rowing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to the Caribbean island of Antigua.

He is rowing with fellow officer and friend Tom Brunwin who has also served in Afghanistan.

The so-called Atlantic Drifters will be rowing two hours on and two hours off, 24 hours a day for a minimum of 40 days in a seven metre by two-metre-wide boat, with little shelter from the elements.

Dave, who left Lord Wandsworth in 2000, said: “The race is the equivalent of running 138 London marathons back-to-back, but we’ll also be facing tropical storms, sleep deprivation, sharks, blisters and salt rashes, as well as the mental stress of dealing with such a hostile environment.

“However we’re confident that our military background will stand us in good stead.”

School spokeswoman Rhian Pearson said: “The sports hall was a decidedly cosier environment.

“Staff and pupils who took part in the challenge to row the same distance that the men will cover were a tired but jubilant bunch at the end.”