TWO intrepid fundraisers will embark on a mammoth kayaking challenge today in the hope of breaking a world record and raising money for charity. Gorleston GP Dr Simon Worlsley and Hopton man Ian Castro will today, weather permitting, set off from Southwold on the 87-mile journey to Zeebrugge, Holland.

TWO intrepid fundraisers will embark on a mammoth kayaking challenge today in the hope of breaking a world record and raising money for charity.

Gorleston GP Dr Simon Worlsley and Hopton man Ian Castro will today, weather permitting, set off from Southwold on the 87-mile journey to Zeebrugge, Holland.

The duo will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record, already held by Dr Worlsey, as well as raise money for Palliative Care East.

Dr Worsley, 54, first broke the record with friend Rod Cooke in August 1997 and has been planning a second attempt for two years.

On this mammoth journey he will be joined by youth support worker Mr Castro, 44, who has made the journey before, clocking in at 24 hours and 10 minutes.

With the aim of rowing five miles per hour the challenge will put the duo under immense physical pressure - with only room for limited water and food supplies.

Mr Castro said: “I'm excited yet a little apprehensive about the challenge. We have been planning this for two years and were meant to go last year but the weather conditions were not favourable.”

Dr Worlsey, who has practiced at Central Surgery for 20 years, their route crossed busy shipping lanes - one of their biggest hurdles. He said: “The North Sea has some of the most congested shipping lanes in the world and these are large vessels which travel at high speed. The hardest thing is keeping out of their way.”

The daring duo will be accompanied by a support vessel which will use its radar to alert them to the position of ships, although the escort vessel cannot provide any other help, only in emergency.

Any money raised in sponsorship will go towards the �1.5m James Paget appeal, which aims to build a dedicated palliative care centre in the grounds of the hospital. The centre would serve patients from Yarmouth and Waveney who sufferer from incurable disease such as cancer and motor neurone disease.

Dr Worlsey said: “As a GP I'm aware of the need in this area for that kind of centre which we currently haven't got. End of life care would be much improved and this is increasingly important in an ageing population.”

To sponsor Dr Worlsey and Mr Castro visit http://justgiving.com/NorthSeaCrossingGuinnessWorldRecordAttempt.