A Helston woman has been chosen to row across the Atlantic in January - but has just 14 days to raise £12,000.

Sally Grint, who used to work from Helston aid charity ShelterBox and now runs Mullion Youth and Community Centre, is a last-minute replacement on the international women's six who will row in the Allum Cup in January.

This will follow a route from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Barbados, 2600 miles away.

Already a keen rower, Ms Grint, who grew up in the Helford area and Falmouth, was approached by Woodvale Atlantic rowing team this week, after one of the crew members was unable to race.

She said: "The call to race and row the Atlantic next month has been a lot to take in. My first thoughts were with the remaining five crewmembers, who would have to cancel months of preparation and hard work if a sixth member couldn't join them.

"I leapt at the chance to make it happen. To be able to jump in the boat, get the job done and ultimately experience the wide ocean is a combination hard to beat for a Cornish girl and a challenge the six of us are ready for.

"Now I am looking for a company, or several, with the same tenacity and determination to sponsor my seat."

A portion of the sponsorship money will go to charity.

Ms Grint needs to raise £12,000 in the next two weeks.

She admitted, it was a "tall order," but said she was convinced there were companies out there that would be proud to have their names on the boat.

"We will be the first women's six to do this. We aim to achieve the crossing in under 40 days - we'll be rowing four hours on four hours off for the duration.

"It's hard to put it all into words at the moment because it is only achievable with sponsorship by December 20.

"I would be incredibly proud to represent a company who wants to be part of this 'epic challenge' so please get in touch as soon as you can," said Ms Grint who can email sallygrint@btinternet.com.