A DORSET mother will be attempting to set a new world record rowing attempt in Bournemouth town centre and raise vital funds to help children with life-threatening illness.

Clare Busst, will be setting up her rowing machine in the Square at 10am on Saturday July 25 and attempting to break the world record for the 26-mile marathon.

The record, which stands at 2hours and 59 minutes, was set 13 years ago by Irish rower Siobhan Norman.

But single mum-of-one Clare, 34, from Southbourne, wants to smash it, and is inviting people to join her by testing their skills on a bank of rowing machines to help her raise money for Bournemouth-based charity Round Table Children's Wish (RTCW).

Clare said: "We are calling the event 'Row for a Wish' and we want the public to help us raise as much money as we can for this fabulous charity which grants wishes for poorly children.

"We want children and adults to donate and see how far they can row in a minute, and there will be some great prizes up for grabs."

Round Table Children's Wish celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

The charity was founded by Round Table and grants handcrafted wishes for children aged four to 17 who have a life-threatening illness.

Clare added: "I feel blessed to be mum to a healthy son, Joe. But there are so many children out there who are living with terrible conditions and who so need the joy that comes from their wish being granted."

Clare, who works full time as a business development manager for building construction data company Glenigan , currently holds five British records and two world records. She has also won the world indoor rowing title in her weight category for the last two years.

To prepare for her world record attempt she has embarked on a gruelling, marathon training regime.

She said: "I am training twice a day, six days a week with a session before I take my son to school and go to work, and another at lunch or after work, depending on my schedule. It's tough juggling it around work and Joe, but it's going really well."

Clare is asking people to go online and sponsor her at virginmoneygiving.com/ClareBusst

Donations can also be texted to: RTCW14 70070.

Prigette Smolka, business development worker for Round Table Children's Wish said: "We will be recording people's scores and there will be some great prizes on offer including a Play Station 4 and gym memberships.

"We will also be auctioning a new AFC Bournemouth shirt which has been signed by all the players, Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall." For more information visit facebook.com/events/1589191811345816/