TWO special events are being staged in West Devon for world-record holder Lee Spencer, who recently completed a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean.

Last Monday Horrabridge resident Lee, known as the Rowing Marine, became the first physically disabled person to row solo and unsupported from mainland Europe to South America, a distance of 3,500 miles.

He smashed the previous able-bodied record of 96 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes, gaining a second Guinness World Record in the process. He did the challenge to not only prove that people are not ‘defined by their disability’ but to also raise funds for two charities — the Royal Marines Charity and the Endeavour Fund (part of the Royal Foundation).

The first event, on Saturday, March 30, has been organised by the Royal Marine Association and will be a ‘question and answer’ event in Bedford Square in Tavistock, from 9am.

The second has been organised by Radio Walkham the community radio station in Horrabridge, and will be held at The London Inn in the village on Saturday, April 6 from 7pm. People are invited to the pub to meet Lee after his record-breaking solo row and help support and raise funds for the two charities.

A raffle or auction has been proposed for the evening.

If any resident or business would like to donate, contact Melanie Gregory from Radio Walkham on 07791 563783.