LEGENDARY businessman Frank Rothwell is heading for the biggest challenge of his life... at 70 years old.

Because the colourful character from Greenfield plans to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean solo as a major fundraiser for Alzheimer's Research UK.

He is taking on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge later this year and hopes to become the oldest person to complete it solo.

He will row in his £100,000 craft "You're Never Too Old" from the Canary Islands in December, to Antigua, reuniting with his wife of 50 years, Judith, next Valentine’s Day.

His goal is to raise £1 million for Alzheimer's Research UK – which would be the largest amount ever raised by a single rower in the challenge – after witnessing the devastating impact of dementia.

He previously spent five weeks on a deserted island for the Channel 4 programme, "The Island with Bear Grylls" and before that, he was only the 10th person to ever circumnavigate North and South America by boat.

Frank is self-funding the whole trip, so all money raised will go to Alzheimer's Research UK.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the charity is predicting its income may slump, meaning Frank’s fundraising will offer a vital lifeline to dementia research

Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, a long-term supporter of Alzheimer's Research UK, will be match-funding the first £500,000 worth of donations.

Frank, who is a father of two and grandfather of three, said: “Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean solo, and unsupported, is the biggest challenge I can imagine without taking on too much risk or endangering others.”

To find out more about the cause he has selected, check out www.alzheimersresearchuk.org online.

To donate to the cause visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frankrothwell