LEE Spencer, ‘the rowing marine’, has enjoyed a cup of tea and a chat with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace ahead of jetting off to start his epic solo row across the Atlantic.

Amputee Lee, from Horrabridge, flies out from Gatwick to Gibraltar tomorrow, January 4, to attempt to become the world’s first physically disabled person to row solo and unsupported from mainland Europe to mainland South America. He will be raising funds for the prince’s Endeavour Fund and the Royal Marines Charity.

Setting off from Gibraltar’s Ocean Village Marina on January 18 in a seven-metre rowing boat, Lee will be attempting to row solo and unsupported 3,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

If he completes the challenge, he will secure two Guinness World Records. He’s also hoping to beat the current able bodied record of 96 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes.

Royal The Royal Marine veteran is on a personal mission to challenge the perceptions around disabilities. Lee survived 24 years as a marine and three operational tours of Afghanistan unscathed, only to lose his right leg when he stopped to help a motorist on the M3 in Surrey in 2014. He was hit by flying debris as he made his way to the stricken vehicle and his right leg was severed in the impact. He now has a prosthetic leg.

Prince Harry invited him along to his official residence to wish him well before he sets off on his trip. The Endeavour Fund is Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s charity helping wounded service people.

‘Prince Harry’s support and the work he and the Endeavour Fund do has made a very big difference to many people’s lives and in a very real way,’ he said. ‘When you meet him you feel an overwhelming sense of fellowship and I particularly respect the fact he has kept and will continue to keep wounded and injured servicemen and women in the nation’s conscience and that he genuinely cares.

‘I am extremely proud to be able to raise awareness of the Endeavour Fund and the work they do in supporting the recovery of servicemen and women. I am very grateful that I have had the opportunity to share the details and reasons why I am doing my challenge with Prince Harry directly. It has made me incredibly proud and determined and I will carry with me his words of support across every one of the 3,500 Atlantic ocean miles I am about to face.

‘I don’t believe anyone should be defined by something they can’t do or their limitations. It’s about rediscovering who you are, not redefining who you are and being labelled. I hope I am able to inspire all those who seek to rediscover themselves and raise awareness and funds for two very worthy charities who have supported and inspired me.’

During this feat of extraordinary physical and mental endurance, Lee will battle 30-foot waves and 3,500 miles of unpredictable ocean in nothing more than a seven-metre long ocean rowing boat. Facing sleep deprivation, extreme fatigue, sea-sickness, fear and solitude Lee will be out of helicopter range and totally unsupported on the water.

Lee has previously raised money for Prince Harry’s Endeavour Fund as part of a four-strong crew of amputee veterans who rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic back in 2014. This time, he will be rowing alone - and adding an extra 500 miles to his distance.

He has prepared for the challenge with bodybuilding and rowing on a machine in the gym, and has also put on two and a half stone in preparation for the weight he will lose in the crossing.

‘It’s a hard thing to train for,’ he says. ‘The rowing machine doesn’t really cut it - it doesn’t use the same muscles. What I’ve had to do is get as fat as I can, I’ve put on two and a half stone ready to lose it on the water.’

Lee’s wife Claire is flying out to Gibraltar with him to wave him off.

‘She has been helping put the whole thing together with sponsors and meetings,’ he said. ‘It is an old cliche that the hardest thing about rowing the ocean is getting the boat in the water, and that has proved to be the case.’

Find out more at www.leespencer.co.uk