Ross Rowing Club member Chris Jones is about to embark on the most challenging expedition of his life, a 9000 mile gruelling charity ride through nine countries in South East Asia, to highlight the plight of some of the world's poorest people, and the efforts being made by the 'unsung charity heroes' who strive to improve their quality of life.

Early next year, the 22-year-old Hereford-born biologist will join a five-strong team of graduate adventurers on a six-month ride through terrain that is both physically and mentally challenging, often extremely wild and always potentially dangerous.Chris' love of competitive sport was nurtured in Ross, Chris, with his father, Mike, and sister, Rhiannon have been racing for Ross Rowing Club for the past 10 years.

He told the Ross Gazette:?"Rowing was my first love in competitive sport, and led me on to the endurance challenges that preoccupy me now, through events such as the Boston Rowing Marathon. We rowed a coxed pair for this event, the hardest way possible, with just two rowers dragging one coxwain. We got a course record in that event."

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.