Frank gets ready to row the Atlantic on freeze dried food

Frank Rothwell is preparing to row the Atlantic for Alzheimer's Research UK

Seventy-year-old Oldhamer Frank Rothwell is preparing to row the Atlantic for Alzheimer's Research UK - powered by freeze dried food from a local manufacturer for the 3,000 mile voyage.

On a diet of freeze dried food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, he plans to cast off from the Canary Islands on December 1, with the hope of reaching Antigua and reuniting with his wife of 50 years Judith the following Valentine’s Day to raise £1millon.

Frank will be eating food usually only taken on mountain or extreme challenges produced by Summit to Eat - a brand of European Freeze Dry - offering a shelf life of up to seven years.

Frank said: “I’ve tested the food from Summit to Eat and it’s ideal.

"I need something lightweight for storage which gives me a thousand calories per meal twice a day.

“I’ve got a good variety ready and it’s reassuring to know that I’ll have all the meals I need without having to think about cooking.”

Summit To Eat offers a wide variety of meals for extreme sports and adventures of all kinds, including breakfasts, snacks, lunches and dinners designed to keep energy levels high.

Meals include staples of typical home cooking such as chicken tikka, pasta bolognaise and macaroni cheese, to outdoor classics like vegetable chilli or beef and potato stew.

Frank can also indulge with a dessert of rice pudding, and breakfast porridge pots.

Atiyya Tailor of European Freeze Dry said: “When we heard Frank was going to commit to this voyage for Alzheimer's Research UK we contacted him to offer help him on his way.

“We’re confident he won’t run out of steam, especially with the combination of food he will have at his disposal, and we’ll be supporting his progress with great interest.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.