RAF Regiment gunners brave the elements as they row 3,200 miles across Atlantic

A team of RAF gunners have faced thunder and lightning as they continue to make their way across 3,200 miles of the Atlantic Ocean - with one man even being struck by a bird.

The four RAF Regiment rowers have spent over three weeks in a boat that is approximately eight metres long and just under two metres wide as they undertake the Atlantic Rocks challenge to raise money for charity.

In a post on X, the Atlantic Rocks crew explained how having had to battle "some of the worst weather seen during a crossing" their arrival in Antigua would be later than anticipated, but their spirits remained high.

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Sergeant Phil Angus, Corporal Gary Binns, Corporal Justin Wallace and Sergeant Dan Martin are sailing from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Apart from having to battle gales on their Atlantic traverse, some team members have faced encounters with wildlife, with Cpl Binns having been struck by a bird.

Since overcoming the spell of bad weather and the bird strike, the gunners have been making headway, averaging around 60 nautical miles per day.

"We have the winds with us and the waves, they are pushing us along nicely," Cpl Binns said in a video posted on X.

He also expressed gratitude to all supporters for the love and backing the team have received.

The four men are raising money for five charities: The Centurion Fund, The Veterans Charity, Mental Health Research UK, Tough Enough to Care and SSAFA.

So far, the gunners have raised £13,693 from 158 supporters.

Their target is £50,000.