The Wiltshire residents, with an average age of 63, will row 100 miles

Ten friends with an average age of 63 will row 100 miles from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

The team, who all live in Corsley, near Warminster in Wiltshire, will set sail from Inverness on Monday and are due to be at sea for five days.

Glen Senk of the group, who call themselves Oarsome Oldies, explained that none of them had ever rowed before, adding: “It’s going to be really tough.”

The group, aged between 56 and 70, have already raised more than £50,000 for local charities.

“The money raised is incredibly motivating. Much more than any of us thought we would raise,” said group leader Mr Senk.

Mr. Senk decided to take on the 100-mile row after being “inspired” by a good friend’s son, who recently rowed more than 2,000 miles from San Diego to Hawaii.

Once Mr. Senk agreed to the shorter challenge, several of his neighbors also signed up, until there was a group of 10.

“None of us have ever rowed before.

“Quite frankly, some of us weren’t that fit,” added Mr. Senk, a businessman and former CEO of companies including Urban Outfitters.

Since training began last summer, it is estimated that between them the group have rowed more than 100,000 miles, shedding weight and gaining muscle in the process.

“We’re feeling better than we’ve felt in years,” Mr. Senk said.

The 10 friends, who are all neighbors, will canoe 10 hours a day in two-hour shifts.

Accompanied by a professional rower, they will follow a route that takes in the Caledonian Canal, the River Ness and Loch Dochfour, Ness, Lochy and Linnhe, ending in Oban.

The trip is expected to take five days, traveling about 20 miles per day, depending on the weather.

The group is raising funds for four local organisations: I Can and I Am, Firefly International, Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust and Friends of St Margaret Church.