Installing a fish tank for reality TV star Peter Andre has led a West Sussex man to try to row 2,400 miles single-handed across the Pacific to raise funds for the showman's charity.
Daryl Farmer, 39, from East Grinstead, said he was inspired to take on the endurance challenge after hearing stories from other adventurers such as rowers Roz Savage and James Cracknell and he wants to raise money for Andre's foundation in support of Cancer Research.
They met in 2013 in an aquatic supplies shop when the Australian star just happened to walk in. They got talking, Mr Farmer ended up installing his fish tank for him, and the two became friends. Andre later set up his foundation in memory of his brother Andrew who died from kidney cancer
Mr Farmer sets off in his 24ft x 6ft boat on Monday in the Great Pacific Race to try and row from Monterey in California to Honolulu. The race involves 13 boats trying to complete the journey in solo, pairs and fours teams.
Andre said: "I just want to say that I think he is doing an amazing thing by rowing solo across the Pacific Ocean to raise funds for my Foundation and Cancer Research UK. This cause has now become dear to my heart so I support him all the way."
Mr Farmer, a committed ocean conservationist who has protested regularly against shark finning, whaling and the dolphin slaughters in Japan, will also use the race to raise funds for marine conservation organisation Earthrace Conservation.
Mr Farmer will have to tackle variable Pacific weather and ocean conditions ranging from flat calm to huge storms, as well as the potential hazard of meeting much larger cargo vessels, cruise liners and a variety of large marine animals also crossing the Pacific at the same time.
Support boats will be available along the route but, should anything go wrong, the nearest help may be several days away.
From Monterey where Mr Farmer is doing his final preparations, he said: "I'm hoping the biggest challenge was getting to the start line after my boat was held up at US Customs.
"After all that stress, I think I deserve some plain sailing from here to Hawaii. I'm looking forward to getting out on the ocean now and can't wait to start. I expect to see lots of incredible marine life out there including some sharks with any luck, and whilst I'm definitely expecting the unexpected, I feel very ready to take on the Pacific whatever it decides to throw at me."
Crews in the race will be helping Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation by collecting water samples that will be analysed for microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic debris 5mm or smaller that cause contamination to marine ecosystems.
Sources of microplastics include the plastic beads used in many body and facial scrubs and fibres produced from laundering materials made from synthetics.