A cross-Channel row will help boost the £50million Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal.

The appeal is approaching the £8million mark and fund-raisers hope the sponsored event on Saturday, July 12, will get them there.

Odyssey is the other charity to benefit from the efforts of the 14-strong team of rowers, kayakers and canoeists.

It is expected to take six hours of non-stop effort for them to complete the 24-mile trip from Dover to Sangatte.

Edward Condry, residentiary canon at the Cathedral, who is a team member and event co-ordinator, said: “This is an intensely demanding challenge.

“Although we have a number of very experienced rowers taking part we have all had to learn the different techniques and equipment needed for sea rowing. It’s quite different to the skills required to tackle a relatively calm river on a boat with sliding seats.”

Canon Condry is an experienced rower, having rowed while at Oxford. He was also a member of Team GB in the World Indoor Rowing Championships of 2006.

Canon Condry also undertook the 1,200 mile, 16-day Canterbury to Rome cycle ride last August with a team of 27 other cyclists to raise £140,000 for the Cathedral appeal and other local and national charities. A number of these cyclists are taking part in the cross-Channel challenge.

Each team member must raise a minimum of £500. To make a donation to either charity or both, go to the website at http://www.justgiving.com/edwardcondry or visit www.savecanterburycathedral.com