A care home has become the latest organisation to back a trans-Atlantic rowing challenge.

Birchfield Residential Care Home, Gorse Road, Blackburn is supporting the group of East Lancashire Royal Marines who are raising awareness of plastics in the ocean by taking on an epic row.

In the spring, the team, which includes Dom Rogers from Rawtenstall and Matt Mason from Accrington, will row 3,700 miles from The Brooklyn Bridge in New York City to Tower Bridge in London.

In the run up to the row, they’ve been taking part in endurance activities and challenges to raise money for Plastic Oceans and The Royal Marines Charity.

They’ve also been accepting sponsorship from businesses across the country who have offered their money and services in support of the challenge.

Jackie Mason, a chef at the care home and mother of Matthew Mason, the team’s skipper said: “I am very proud of the team and Matt for what they are attempting to do, rowing across the North Atlantic is an incredible challenge and one myself and all the staff at Birchfield are incredibly proud to get behind.

“Single use plastic is a major problem and since joining the 500 club we have asked all of our food suppliers to supply their produce without needless plastic packaging.”

In August, a team of Birchfield employees, residents and Mr Mason walked more than 10 miles from Fleetwood to Blackpool raising money for the team’s charities.