TO mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, a Chard man has launched a new fundraising effort which will see him row the distance to Normandy and back.

Andy Webb, a member of Chard’s Royal British Legion, has teamed up with Ilminster’s Crossfit Wolfram to create the Overlord Challenge.

Named after Operation Overlord, the code name given to the D-Day landings, the massive rowing effort will see Andy row a total of 262 miles.

This is the equivalent of rowing from Portland in Dorset to Sword Beach in Normandy and then back again.

Sheryl Ford, the event organiser, said: “To achieve this, Andy will be rowing an incredible ten Marathons in ten days on a Concept2 rowing machine.

“Andy’s tenth and final marathon row will take place at the Guildhall, Chard, on November 9, where he will be joined by twenty four teams of between four and six rowers, each team rowing 100k.”

Andy, who is ex-Royal Air Force and Chard RBL’s community support officer, will be raising money towards the town’s Poppy Appeal 2019.

For his final row, Andy will be joined by teams made up from The Royal Navy, Royal Marines, The Army and the Royal Air Force, plus teams from local Crossfit gyms and businesses.

Sheryl added: “The Royal British Legion provides a lifetime of care and support to the UK Armed Forces and their families and the money raised via the Poppy Appeal supports this valuable work.”

To launch his fundraising effort, Andy was on show outside the Guildhall as children and adults alike soaked him with water balloons, in return for a charity donation.

He was also supported by the branch’s mascot, Lionel the lion.