A WEST Hill man will sail the south coast of England to raise cash for injured war heroes.

A WEST Hill man will sail the south coast of England to raise cash for injured war heroes.

Sixty-eight-year-old Rotarian Chris Highnam will take to the water in July on a two-week quest to raise funds for Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.

He hopes to stop off in 40 different places on a marathon maritime journey from Sutton Harbour, Plymouth to Tower Bridge, London.

The Otter Valley Rotary Club and the 41 Club of Ottery St Mary have backed the Sail4Heroes project, which will take in major naval ports and armed forces bases.

A land-based collection crew will follow Chris, who will have an injured service man or woman on-bard with him for every day of the challenge.

Exmouth road resident Chris was in London last week putting the final touches to a finish-line reception on the HMS President on July 8.

"I hope we're not late!" Chris, told the Herald, "I've never done anything over this distance sailing wise."

There will be room on Chris' boat for two sponsored guests every day.

"We hope that injured service personnel and guests will get great pleasure from the trip. We hope the venture will raise the profile of both the plight of our injured and the charities that support them," said Chris, who started sailing 15 years ago.

"I have every confidence that by July 8..the project team will be in great form and will achieve a resounding success in support of our injured service men and women."

To sponsor the bid visit www.sail4h.org/.