Most people would sooner take their chances on the Titanic than embark on what Sam Horsley and his mates plan to do.

Horsley, who grew up in the Southern Highlands, will take part in the Talisker Atlantic Challenge at the end of the year alongside James Samuels, Rob Wells and Louis Hugh-Jones.

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The four mates will take turns crewing their boat as they seek to row around 5000km from the Canary Islands to Antigua in the space of 30-40 days.

The event, which is held annually, invites crews of various sizes and abilities to complete the arduous journey whilst raising money for charity.

For Horsley, the chance to raise awareness for mental health charity Gotcha4Life was something he couldn't pass up.

"We've all been really affected by mental health in our lives," he told the Southern Highland News.

"For most of us it's been through people we know. I had an uncle who passed away about 10 years ago.

"Gotcha4Life is our charity partner and they are an amazing new charity started by a guy called Gus Worland.

"They have a vision for zero suicides in Australia and they are more focused on the prevention side of things. Getting people to talk or getting into programs before [it becomes serious]."

It's not been an easy feat to get there however with a significant financial burden for the team to overcome, let alone physically and mentally preparing for what most would consider an extreme sport.

"Raising money has been the hardest part," Horsley explained.

"We need over $200,000 to get to the start line. Of that, the boat's worth $80,000 and we'll sell that after and be able to give it to charity on top of what else we want to raise.

"We found a boat and ended up putting all our life savings into it, down to the last dollar. That really helped get our big sponsor on board, Shaw and Partners.

"One of the biggest challenges will be living together in a very confined space, it could be the size of a teacup, sharing cabins and everything.

"When I thought about who I would get to do this, it were guys who had been through tough situations. If we capsize in the middle of the ocean, who would I want with me?"

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Covid-permitting, the team plans to travel across the state, including here in Bowral, to showcase the boat and help raise money to go towards their $500,000 total goal, $350,000 of which will go to Gotcha4Life while the remainder helps get them to the start line.

Regardless of how the race goes, the 25-year old said the team had already gotten plenty out of the experience.

"When we started this and chose mental health we had no idea how invested we would become in that.

"We all became mental health 'first aiders' and really took a stronger look at that. That was pretty powerful for us as well."

The Shaw and Partners team are also sponsored by Marulan company Gunlake. You can learn more and donate here.

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