Grandfather, 60, prepares to row 3,000 miles single-handedly as he crosses the Atlantic with the backing of Sir Elton John

A 60-year-old grandfather prepares to single-handedly undertake the ‘world’s toughest battle’ across the Atlantic Ocean, with the support of music icon Sir Elton John.

‘Atlantic Rocketman’ Andrew Major will row 3,000 miles from the tiny island of La Gomera, near Tenerife, to English Harbour in Antigua and Barbuda. It’s a tough challenge that is expected to take 60 days at sea.

The Briton, who has already raised more than £12,000 for the Elton John Aids Foundation, will row 18 hours a day through some of the world’s most challenging waters, with storms and waves of up to 12 metres high. He hopes to complete the feat in two months.

He had to sell his luxury car and remortgage part of his house to finance the costs of the challenge, with his rowing boat alone, which he named after his wife Jazzy, costing him £75,000.

Both Sir John and her husband David Furnish have supported the rower in his efforts to raise money for their foundation, and have even given the 60-year-old written permission to use the title ‘Atlantic Rocketman’.

Mr Major has shared photos of himself on social media training for the trip

The route will see Mr Major row 3,000 miles from the tiny island of La Gomera, near Tenerife, to English Harbour in Antigua and Barbuda

While most competitors compete in pairs, trios or fours, the 60-year-old from Portsmouth decided to take on the challenge solo

In late July, he shared a photo on Instagram showing his pre-shipment inspection with Fraser Mowlem of the Atlantic Campaigns Safety Team

Speaking about the row, which is set to begin in December, Mr Major said: ‘I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m a marathon runner and I’ve cycled on rivers before, but never anything like this.’

While most competitors compete in pairs, trios or fours, the 60-year-old from Portsmouth decided to take on the challenge alone.

Speaking about the row, which begins in December, he said: ‘I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m a marathon runner and I’ve cycled on rivers before, but never anything like this.

‘It’s not called the toughest rowing event in the world for nothing. It takes about 18 hours of rowing a day and you have to row through heavy rain, violent storms and waves of up to 40 feet.

‘I recently realized that I was experiencing the early signs of burnout and that it was creeping and creeping. So I decided to do something for myself. To put myself first once and for all.

“And I wanted to do it for a good cause, and the Elton John Aids Foundation has done some amazing things.”

The race across the Atlantic Ocean starts on December 12th in La Gomera. More than 40 teams are participating, but only seven are solo.

Mr Major added: ‘It’s brutal. Last year someone died after a heart attack and the rest of the team of four had to be rescued.

“I predict it will take me between 40 and 60 days to complete it. That means I will be away for Christmas, which my wife is quite upset about, but I have said I want everyone at the finish in Antigua to celebrate.”