Training to be part of a round-the-world yacht crew is going well, according to the Archdeacon of Wiltshire – despite a touch of sea sickness and not sailing since he was a child.

The Rt Rev John Wraw, of London Road, Devizes, who has decided to use the challenge to raise money for Wiltshire Young Carers, is tackling the first leg of the race from Hull to Rio de Janeiro, which starts on September 13.

He said: “I have been training for this trip since Christmas and although none of us taking part in the race has much experience in sailing, I think we will be well honed sailors by the time we get to Rio.

“For two of the weeks we sailed around the Isle of Wight and also down the Solent and in the English Channel to get used to sailing.

“It was all right, however, some days I felt quite queasy – my sea legs aren’t that brilliant.”

He thinks the hardest thing for him will be sharing a yacht with 17 people for a month, with only a short break in La Rochelle, in France, for any repairs. He admits that this is very different from anything he has done.

The first leg of the trip is expected to be completed by October 13.

His wife Gillian and four grown-up children are backing him in the bid. “I think my wife and children think I am slightly mad for taking part in the trip but they are very supportive at the same time,” said 50-year-old Mr Wraw.

“Churches from across the area have also been really supportive, placing adverts in their parish magazines and sponsoring me, so far my online fundraising page has raised £600 and that is rising daily, which is excellent.”

He chose the Wiltshire Carers charity because he said it was amazing what they do and how much they sacrifice to look after others.

“Hopefully the money raised from the trip will enable them to do things they wouldn’t normally be able to do like have days out away from their everyday life.”

If you would like to sponsor Mr Wraw, log on to www.justgiving.com/johnwraw