BATTERED rowing duo John Haskell and Jamie Windsor have thanked Barry residents for lifting their spirits - during a phone call to the Barry & District News from the Atlantic Ocean!

Team Atlantic Dash are currently one month ahead of their predicted schedule in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge - which has seen them compete alongside 16 other teams, steering through waves up to 50ft on the 3,000 mile trek from La Gomera to Barbados.

The firefighters have survived near-capsize, horrific boils, flying fish, extreme weight loss, sleep deprivation, broken cooking equipment and, in John's case, a knee-injury resulting from the waves smashing an oar.

But the pair hope their relentless rowing and pain will inspire people to help them raise more than £100,000 for their chosen charities - Help For Heroes, Breast Cancer Care, the WRVS and the Firefighters Fund.

42-year-old dad-of-two John, from and originally based in Barry, said there had also been highs to accompany the lows during their journey.

During his January 7 call, he said: "We are rowing into the sunshine and we've had some close encounters with dolphins.

"We nearly rowed over the volcano in the Canaries we went so far off course. It's not very often you can say that really!

"We'd just drunk all our Christmas booze, but we got re-supplied when a yacht radioed us and said ‘are you okay? You're only doing two knots’.

"Then they handed us some beer – that was cool! It was San Miguel and ice-cold!

"Marco's flapjacks are going down well and we've got enough to last us to the end of the trip,” he added.

"We've had the beef jerky and chilli sauce as well!"

The naked duo said the Team Atlantic Dash Facebook group posts and messages left via the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge website have all provided a great source of support.

John said: "The Facebook messages have been really nice.

"I have sat here and cried some days, I have been in such pain. I have never been in such a low place in my life.

"We are pretty battered and had a near-capsize, and we've got boils through sitting on a damp seat.

"You expect it to be tough, but you don't expect it to be so horrendous,” he added.

"We haven't slept for more than two hours in a row.

"But we want to thank the people of Barry for all the support." To donate and help John and Jamie's charity's fundraising efforts log onto www.atlanticdash.com or join their Facebook group Team Atlantic Dash.