Three amazing young women with close links to Lady Eleanor Holles school (LEH) in Hampton are embarking upon the biggest challenge of their lives – rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic to raise money for cancer charities.

Charlotte Irving, who rowed at LEH and Abby Johnson, one of the current rowing coaches at the girls' school, are teaming up with Kat Cordiner, who has been fighting a battle of her own against cervical cancer.

The women are due to set off in 143 days' time in early December and aim to make the crossing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour on the Caribbean island of Antigua.

"We are just three ordinary girls, who have decided to do something ExtraOARdinary ," they say.

This week they shared the details of their challenge with the local community group SporTedd which hosted a fund-raising dinner with three former Olympians, 400 metres runners Roger Black and Christine Ohuruogu and gold medal winning rower Mark Hunter.

They hope their expedition will raise over £100,000 for three charities, Cancer Research UK, MacMillan and The Royal Marsden Hospital.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is one of the world's toughest endurance races, but the 'oarsome' three have their sights set on the world speed record and hope to complete the crossing in 49 days.

Charlotte says: "We will row non-stop, two hours on, two hours off, in a 23-foot ocean rowing boat.

"We will have to carry everything required for the race with us, because once we set off from La Gomera we are unlikely to see another boat or human being until our arrival in Antigua.

"We will battle storms, 25-foot waves, salt sores, sleep deprivation, hunger and a lack of home comforts. In fact, we will be lacking most things - including beds and a toilet!

"Christmas and New Year will bring little in the way of presents and pudding, delivering us potential equipment failure, sharks, shipping lanes and capsizes instead.

" However, with careful preparation, plenty of support from family and friends and teamwork on the crossing, we hope to make it to Antigua in record time."

Kat said: "Having just returned from the adventure of a lifetime, sailing across the Pacific Ocean and with future plans already in the making, receiving the diagnosis of cervical cancer came as a huge blow to me.

"Hearing the words "I'm sorry, it's cancer" will happen to 1 in 2 people during their lifetime but is something I was not prepared for and in that moment, I knew my life had been changed forever.

"After the diagnosis, the rollercoaster of emotions begins: you're mad, you're sad, you cry, you're angry, you're shocked, you're tired - and then it starts over again.

"I am incredibly fortunate to have a great support network of friends and family who were there for me from day one.

"I also had an outstanding team of consultants and nurses who helped me through diagnosis, surgeries and treatment.

"Despite being in remission for a while, cancer has reared its head once more and in June this year, I found out the cancer had come back and I am now undergoing chemotherapy in a bid to rid my body of this disease.

"The work that Cancer Research UK, Macmillan and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity do to help cancer patients is vital.

"Whether it is through research to improve treatments, supporting individuals and families through difficult times, or providing 'chemo backpacks' to give those undergoing chemotherapy a feeling of independence and control over their lives.

"I have experienced first-hand how essential their work is, and I am so pleased that team EXTRAOARDINARY will be able to help raise money for these amazing charities."

The adventurous trio are now busy raising money for their challenge and plan a black tie fundraising dinner for September 18th at the Grosvenor House, where tables are still available and prizes and items for the auction will be welcome too.

For more about the trio's challenge and how to get involved, visit their website HERE