GUNNERS are swapping the desert for the sea with a charity sail across the Atlantic.

Soldiers from Colchester’s 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, are back from a six-month tour in Afghanistan.

Instead of sitting back and relaxing, a team, some with little to no sailing experience, have signed up for the sailing adventure of a lifetime.

Members of 7 Para RHA have started training around the Solent in Hampshire for the trip on the HMSTV Endeavour.

They will set off on Sunday from the Isle of Wight. It is expected to take them a month to cross 3,200 miles of ocean.

They will be raising money for Help for Heroes and the Royal Artillery Charitable Fund.

Exercise Atlantic Challenge will have a civilian skipper at the helm and a crew of 14, including keen sailors and soldiers who will be taking to the waves for the first time.

Expedition leader Captain John O’Keeffe said: “Crossing the Atlantic is still one of the hardest challenges available and something we are not taking lightly.

“Many of the crew have never sailed before and despite starting in June, we are expecting to face rough conditions which will test the leadership and skills of the experienced sailors and resolve of the novices.

“A huge force driving us to succeed at such an arduous challenge is raising as much money as we can for two charities doing excellent work to support the military.”

The soldiers, who are likely to miss their operational medal parade in July while sailing, will instead be presented with their medals on the quayside.

HMSTV Endeavour is a 22-metre yacht used by the military’s Joint Service Adventure Sail Training Centre for large offshore sailing expeditions.

To donate, visit www.exercise atlanticchallenge.com