The Atlantic might not be the world’s largest ocean, but its colloquial ‘pond’ sobriquet is, frankly, encroaching on inaccuracy. For Pete Rowlands, however, who’s planning to cross the Atlantic using nothing more than a 29ft boat, some oars and the combined efforts of three fellow Army Commandos, participation in the Shepherds Ocean Fours Rowing Race 2006 Atlantic Rowing Challenge may as well be a gentle scull across a boating lake.

“A challenge of this sort can be prepared for, trained for and planned for. The same cannot be said of losing your 16-year-old son to meningitis,” says Pete, who also served in the 1982 Falkland Islands campaign. “The most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do is to carry Gareth’s coffin at his funeral in May 2003.”

Gareth Rowlands died on 23 May 2003, while at boarding school in Derbyshire. He was immensely fit and a fanatical sportsman, representing North Derbyshire at cross country, skippering the school’s 2nd XV rugby team and a keen skier. His only complaint on the day of his death had been a headache.

Raising the profile of the Meningitis Trust and raising money to continue its excellent work are Pete’s main reasons for undertaking the Rowing Challenge. “They’ve already been a great help to me, my wife Helen and daughter Sian. Now I want to give something back to them, so that others can benefit from the same help – or perhaps even to see that another family doesn’t have to go through the same experience. On top of that, I know I’ll get a huge sense of achievement from pitching up in Falmouth after perhaps 50 or 60 days at sea. And with any luck, I’ll lose some weight too!”

Pete knows that with Gareth very much at the front of his mind, remaining cheerful throughout the trip will also prove a challenge. “That said, I’m sure we’ll find some peace and tranquillity in the middle of the ocean and the time away from work will certainly be welcome.”

But what will he most look forward to once he’s back on dry land? “Sleeping in a nice, warm, comfortable bed, and a gin and tonic. Although not necessarily in that order.”