A WALLINGFORD woman is aiming to break a world record in a gruelling 2,500 mile row across the Pacific Ocean.

Kat Butler, 34, is preparing to take on 'one of the toughest endurance challenges on earth' with three friends.

The all female crew will take two hour shifts rowing and sleeping for around 50 days, in a trip from San Francisco to Hawaii.

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Miss Butler, who is set to leave with crew mates Emma Rogers, Jessica Shuman and Anna Campbell next June, explained: "The row is meant to be one of the toughest endurance challenges on earth. From my perspective, I think it will be an amazing, if a little terrifying, mental and physical challenge, pushing me far beyond my comfort zone."

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The former Wheatley Primary and Wheatley Park School pupil continued: "Imagine being so exhausted you can barely see straight, having awful, searing pains in your hands from open sores and having to row anyway, being wet, cold and facing 40ft waves."

She said she was looking forward to 'amazing sunsets, sunrises, the wildlife and those brief moments of calm' in a journey she expects will 'stay with her forever'.

However, the crew will also have to contend with being on a 24 foot boat for around seven weeks, facing extreme weather and being almost entirely cut off from the outside world.

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Nutritionally, the 'four ordinary young women' also face a significant challenge of having enough food.

The group are holding a launch night on Saturday, July 20, at the Old Post Office in Wallingford, from 6pm, which the public are free to attend.

They are raising money for Women in Sport and Mates in Mind.

To beat the world record for a women's open four, the crew need to complete the challenge in less than 50 days, 19 hours and 14 minutes.

To find and more and donate, visit dreamdaredo.org.uk/challenge