A WOMAN who spent three-and-a-half months rowing across the Atlantic is giving a talk at Evesham Rowing Club to raise money for St Richard's Hospice.

Debra Veal rowed most of the 3,000 miles alone after her husband, Andrew, developed an uncontrollable fear of the ocean two weeks into the challenge.

Mrs Veal, aged 26, set off along with 32 other boats from Tenerife in October and completed the race in January.

Along the way she battled 30-foot waves, Force 8 squalls and sharks as well as dodging tankers that came too close.

"When her husband left she did not want to stop. She was enjoying it," said Sonia Woolvern, who helped organised the event.

"But even when he was gone, he was there for her, because there was a cell phone on the boat, and on one difficult night she called him two or three times."

Mrs Veal was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours and has just completed the longest canoe race in the world in Canada.

"St Richard's are jolly lucky to have her talk to them," said Mrs Woolvern.

"I know Debra because she is on the GB Dragon Boat racing team with my daughter."

The event has already sold out and begins with a lunch at noon at the Evesham Rowing Club, followed by the talk this Friday, July 12.

All proceeds will go towards St Richard's Hospice.