Ex-Soldier Takes On Rowing Challenge

6 June 2013, 09:31 | Updated: 6 June 2013, 11:33

A former sergeant who almost bled to death in a Taliban attack is setting off on a 36-hour non-stop rowing challenge from Weymouth.

Nick Townsend from Portsmouth in Hampshire, formerly in the Royal Anglian regiment, lost two pints of blood and sustained 11 shrapnel wounds while serving in Afghanistan in 2007.

He took just 20 sick days after the incident - becoming the first badly-wounded British soldier to return to active duty so soon after being airlifted back to the UK for treatment.

Mr Townsend, who served with Viking Battalion, and his brother Jason Rice is setting off in a rowing boat from Weymouth, across the Channel.

The pair aim to row 120 miles to St Helier in Jersey, non-stop for an estimated 36 hours in a bid to set a world record.

Their challenge will raise money for troops who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving for Britain.