AN OXFORDSHIRE woman has joined forces with a reality TV star to row the Atlantic Ocean in aid of charity.

Gee Purdy, from Milton-under-Wychwood, will tackle the challenge with nurse Lauren Morton, who is currently featuring on Channel 4’s The Island, hosted by Bear Grylls.

Together with friends Olivia Bolesworth, 26, and Bella Collins, 22, the team called Row Like A Girl will start their Atlantic crossing in December in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

Miss Purdy, 22, said: “We will face salt sores, blisters, infections, muscle damage and depletion as we row 24 hours a day non-stop.

“We won’t be allowed to receive help from anyone while we’re out there so we’ll take enough supplies to last the duration of the row.

“The Atlantic is known for its 40ft swells so it’s going to be tough, there’s no doubt about that.

"But we’re all up for the challenge. We want to prove what women are capable of.”

The team is aiming to raise £50,000 money for a campaign called Because I Am A Girl, which aims to help millions of the world’s poorest girls get an education and live free from violence.

The race covers 3,000 miles, starting at La Gomera in the Canary Islands and finishing at the English Harbour on Antigua in the West Indies.

The route is considered one of the toughest challenges in the world and the women are hoping to complete the voyage in under 48 days.

If successful, they will become the world’s fastest four, and the youngest women, to row the Atlantic. Miss Purdy added: “My friend Lauren had attempted it before and she asked if I wanted to do it with her.

“I rowed when I went to Manchester University as one of eight rowers.”

“I spent the whole summer with her and had time to really think about it and decided I really wanted to do it. I’m so excited.”

TV adventurer Bear Grylls said the Row Like A Girl team were “gutsy, committed and brave”.

He added: “These girls are inspirations.”

For more information and to make a donation to the team, visit rowlikeagirl.uk