A South Warwickshire garden furniture business has announced it will sponsor a local grandmother as she attempts to become the oldest solo female to row across an ocean.

In January 2024 Victoria Jeffs from Alveston will make the 3,000 mile trip from Gran Canaria to Barbados in the hunt for the Guinness World Record.

And now the 56-year-old has the support of The Garden Furniture Centre Ltd which is inviting Victoria down to its 10,000 square foot showroom in Wootton Wawen on Friday (27 October) with her boat that she will row to complete the challenge. 

"We were approached by Victoria and she revealed that she would love for us to be part of her journey after being a customer with us for over 10 years," the business said.

"We were extremely honoured and excited to be approached by Victoria, so of course we agreed to be part of this epic adventure.

"Our logo, as well as other diverse companies, will be printed on both sides of the hull of the boat which will be a huge privilege for our company and the local community."

Victoria has previously said she bought an "enormous" garden sofa from the firm.

The Garden Furniture Centre ltd will be keeping locals informed of Victoria's progress through its social media channels with photos and videos along the way.

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Victoria's challenge is even more impressive as she only learnt to swim in her 40's.

She first discovered ocean rowing in 2015 when her business sponsored a group in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and has followed race since.  

"It was only after I'd signed up that I realised just how few solo females have actually rowed the Atlantic, just 16 have so far succeeded," she said on her website. 

"In total only 25 women have SOLO rowed ANY ocean. After some rigorous checking I soon discovered that I would be the oldest - could I really be so 'OARdacious' to think that I could do it too? Of course I did."