Boxing legend Frank Bruno backs Atlantic row team

Boxing legend Frank Bruno, second left, alongside Rob Oliver, Matt Humphries, Tom Hayward and Kev Joynes who are setting off on an ocean crossing

Boxing hero Frank Bruno has paid a group of friends a visit to wish them luck before they row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Matt Humphries, 44, Kev Joynes, 54, Rob Oliver, 52, and Tom Hayward, 31, known as DeadLegz, from Redditch in Worcestershire, will attempt the World's Toughest Row when they set off in December.

Their challenge will raise money for the Frank Bruno Foundation, which helps people with mental health issues.

The former world heavyweight champion told them their efforts were "brilliant".

"I think it's unbelievable what they're doing. I wish them all the best."

He said it was a "very, very hard thing to do, mentally as well".

Bruno spoke about the challenges of four men manning a boat and coordinating who would take over when one took a break, adding: "It's going to be a very, very hard task to do, but the men seem very confident."

They are expecting to take about 45 days to make the crossing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Mr Joynes said: "I didn't know whether to roll out a red carpet, I mean he is sporting royalty really, Frank, he's an icon."

He said the group had been working with Bruno for about 18 months, who has helped to publicise their challenge.

He said they had met Bruno a couple of times at his gym, but when they heard he was planning to visit, said it was "bizarre".

Mr Oliver said the boat was eight metres long with two very small cabins.

When rowing, it would be two people on the oars at any one time, and the other two could have a cabin each while resting.

The crossing is expected to take six weeks, he added, and said: "We're going to get to know each other very, very well."

Mental health challenges

Bruno's advice was: "All they can do is just try and get fit beforehand and just take their time; don't beat themselves up."

He said they had to "do what they've got to do".

"They've got to row; they've got to get to Antigua, and I hope they get there safe," he said.

Bruno spoke about mental health challenges and how the issue affected men in general.

He said men were often reluctant to come forward about mental health issues, and it was good the team was supporting his foundation and its work in that area.

The Frank Bruno Foundation was set up in 2017 to provide a safe environment for young people with mental health issues.

The charity later added a programme for older people who needed help managing their mental health while they were working.

The World's Toughest Row begins on 12 December.