Windsor pensioner tells son ?push me overboard if I die? as they prepare to row across Atlantic

A Windsor pensioner who plans to row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for charity has given his son permission to tip him overboard if he dies.

John Eustace, 79, who lives in Vansittart Road, is embarking upon the 3,000 mile journey with his son Robert, 52, at the end of November in support of the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service.

The trip is expected to take two and a half months, depending on weather conditions.

But John, a retired GP, said that at his age he had ‘nothing to lose’ and wanted to use the adventure as an opportunity to highlight the importance of staying fit in later life.

He said: “I believe I will be the oldest person to row the ocean, if we get across.

“I am giving my son a letter before we leave giving him permission to tip me over the side if I have a heart attack for instance.

“It’s a good way to go but I hope it doesn’t come to that because I’ve got some nice Burgundy to drink when we get home.”

The daring duo hatched the plan, which will see them row from Gran Canaria to Barbados in a specially designed rowing boat, over Sunday lunch last year.

Since then John has been training at the gym in Windsor Leisure Centre to improve his upper body strength by using static rowing machines.

He added: “I have got more and more convinced about the importance of people keeping fit throughout their lives if they want to avoid being dependent when they’re older.

“This is a good opportunity to get my message across and raise money for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service at the same time."

The pair hope to launch www.eustacerow.com in the next few days to allow people to donate.