JCT600 Vauxhall Bradford dealership manager James Tordoff is half of a two-man team which is taking part in the 3,000 nautical mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – known as the world’s toughest rowing race.

James Tordoff, along with his good friend Chris Nicholl, make up the ‘Hell Oar High Water’ team which was among 30 intrepid teams which set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12.

They will attempt to row the Atlantic to English Harbour in Antigua.

Tordoff and Nicholl are taking on the 45-day challenge with the aim of raising £50,000 for Ben; homeless charity CentrePoint; and the neonatal unit at Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.

Tordoff, the nephew of JCT600 chief executive John and grandson of group founder and AM Hall of Fame inductee Jack, decided to take on the gruelling challenge with Nicholl despite having no previous rowing experience.

As well as facing 50ft waves, sleep deprivation and sharks, participants burn over 5,000 calories per day and lose 20% of their bodyweight.

Tordoff said: “We are not ex/serving military, athletes or adventurers – we didn’t even have any rowing or ocean experience until a long time after we had signed up.

“Yet we believe that anyone can achieve the unthinkable and make a difference regardless of their background or perceived ability and we hope to demonstrate this through our row, whilst raising money and exposure for our chosen charities.”

He added: “We first started talking about taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge over four years ago now.

“It was an idea that snowballed and was one that we just couldn’t shake. The opportunity to challenge ourselves and show that anything is possible played a huge part in our decision to finally sign up to the challenge. That was over two years ago.”

JCT600 sent the intrepid pair on their way with a well-wishing message posted on Twitter last week.

The Bradford-based AM100 retail group said: “Wishing the best of luck to James (our Vauxhall Bradford Showroom Manager) & his friend Chris as they set off today rowing west from La Gomera, Canary Islands for more than 3000 nautical miles to English Harbour, Antigua for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.”