A CHARD ex-marine will battle against choppy seas and PTSD as he takes on a six day sailing race to Ireland and back.

Chris Craven, from Chard Junction, is a former Royal Marine Commando who will be taking part in the Solo Fastnet challenge for Rock2Recovery.

His charity effort is entirely self funded and so he will take to the seas in a 24 year old vessel competing with modern lightweight racers.

Mr Craven said: "I am a former Royal Marine – six of my personal friends over the past 13 yrs have made the ultimate sacrifice.

"They were killed serving on your and my behalf. Yet many of those who have come home struggle to adjust to civvy street or feel guilt that they made it and their oppos (opposite number) didn’t.

"Rock2Recovery is doing awesome work to help these guys while remembering their oppos. I want to help R2R do that."

The Solo Fastnet race, starting on July 2, is a single handed, non-stop yacht race starting from Cowes, Isle of Wight, west-bound down the channel, out into the Atlantic, over to Ireland, then around the Fastnet Rock and back to Plymouth for a beer or two. Providing the weather is good, it should take me four to six days to cover the 600 plus nautical miles.

The Solo Fastnet is the same course as the Rolex Fastnet sailing race, which became infamous after 15 sailors died taking part in 1979.

"I am very honoured to have qualified a place among 46 international competitors," Mr Craven added.

"The Rolex Fastnet has an infamous reputation for its severity but also due to the disastrous race in 1979. The solo Fastnet is regarded as being even tougher.

"I myself was diagnosed with PTSD due to experiences during my service and have the highest regards for individuals and organisations that provide therapy for those like myself."

Rock2Recovery is South West based charity, and was founded by two former colleagues of Chris'.

If he succeeds in completing the Solo Fastnet race then it will also mean Chris qualifies for the OSTAR 2017 solo transatlantic race.