A FORMER Royal Marine from Hereford will take on an intrepid Atlantic adventure to raise awareness and funds to support veteran mental health.

Tim Crockett, 47, will row solo across the Atlantic Ocean in December to raise funds for Combat Stress.

The charity is the UK’s largest for veteran mental health and treats a range of mental health conditions including PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Tim will row a 23 foot boat called The Kraken as part of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, which will take the former St Mary’s high school pupil 3000 miles across the ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

Tim grew up in Red Hill, and joined the Royal Marine Commandos in 1990.

He served until 2001 and during his career he saw action in first Gulf War.

Tim has spent most of his working life around water as he also served in the Special Boat Service.

He was inspired to undertake the challenge after a Marine comrade took his own life two years ago.

The experience brought home to him the importance of raising awareness and supporting veterans’ mental health.

Last week was the first time Tim has rowed his boat and he is now undergoing training to ensure he is ready to race later this year.

He last rowed at a charity regatta in Hereford in his youth and since then has only used rowing machines at the gym.

Tim explained the significance of the challenge: “This year 600 people will climb Everest, maybe 60,000 will run marathon. Only ten people will sail the Atlantic. More people have been in space than have rowed the Atlantic.”

Tim now lives in Atlanta in the US, but his family all live in Hereford and he visits regularly.

Unlike teams taking part in the race, Tim is rowing solo. As well as rowing, he will be maintain the boat and supplies without a break.

He explained how the biggest challenge of the mission will be mental rather than physical.

Since leaving the Marines, Tim has worked in the US supporting the media in hostile environments. His work has taken him to Afghanistan and the Syrian city of Homs.

Compared to these experiences, he joked that his Atlantic mission will be much safer.

He added: “It’s not as dangerous as having someone shooting at me all the time.”

Tim is now on the search for sponsors so he can concentrate fully on training.

To get in touch with Tim to find out how to sponsor him, find him on Facebook at RowtheAtlanticandTametheKraken or follow @rowatlantic on Twitter.

For more information visit www.tamethekraken.org.