GREAT Somerford sailor Christopher Blount is preparing to undertake a 3,000 mile sponsored voyage across the Atlantic to raise money for Malmesbury Community Hospital and the local branch of Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Mr Blount, who runs an estate agency in Malmesbury, plans to sail his 32 foot sloop, Chelika, from Las Palmas, in the Canaries, to St Lucia next month as part of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, which is the world's largest trans-ocean sailing event.

He will be accompanied by agricultural engineer David Keen, of Corston, and former dinghy sailing instructor Andrew Clive, of Littleton Drew. The voyage is expected to take 25 days.

Mr Blount said: "Apart from Cape Verdi Islands, there is nowhere else to stop. But that is part of the excitement."

Mr Blount almost came a cropper off the coast of Spain last month when he sailed Chelika to the Canaries in preparation for the voyage.

Severe winds almost caused the sloop to run aground on rocks.

Mr Blount said: "Apart from a few moments of minor crisis, it was an enjoyable, if rather hectic trip. It is said that long distance cruising can be compared with being in prison with the added possibility of drowning."

Mr Blount is looking for businesses and individuals to sponsor the trip or pledge donations to support Macmillan Cancer Relief and raise money for new equipment at Malmesbury Hospital's new palliative care side ward.

Anyone who would like to help can contact Mr Blount on (01666) 825725 or call in at his High Street office.