A lawyer has set out on a 4,000 nautical mile journey from Portugal to the Caribbean, in a rowing boat called Aurelia.

Andrew Baker, an associate advocate with Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd, is aiming to raise funds and generate awareness for Reach IoM and other organisations which contribute to a positive mental wellbeing.

Earlier this week, Mr Baker set off from Lagos, Portugal, on the first leg of his trip, which he hopes to complete in around 90 days.

In a blog post on his Just Giving Page, he said: ’I have put everything into this expedition: heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears and every penny for the past two and half years (although the seed was sown many years earlier)! It’s not over yet; it has only just begun.

’I’ve personally experienced extreme lows. I’ve never discussed my mental health publicly, not even with family, only with friends (and strangers, strangely). It becomes apparent when you do talk about your mental health that there are many others who feel, or have felt, a similar way.

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’Talking about it and knowing you’re not alone seems such a simple fix, and yet effective, but often not so straight forward. I have no doubt this row will be a mental challenge as much as it is physical. I’d like to share this experience with you and hopefully encourage you to talk about your own mental health more openly.

’Through my years of highs and lows I’ve discovered going for a walk in the Manx countryside, alone to clear my head, or with a friend, has been a life saver. Also, I’ve learned, setting myself a challenge and sticking to it keeps me even-keeled (over time the challenges have become more ambitious)!’

Mr Baker is providing updates on his phenomenal effort on his website, with pictures, a brief on where he is and satellite tracking showing the location of his rowing boat.

The boat itself is a Rannoch-built R20 pairs row boat made from fibreglass with a bow sleeping cabin and stern storage cabin.

On his website, Mr Baker said: ’Fully equipped with as much safety, navigation and communication gear as it can carry, Aurelia is designed for one purpose - to cross oceans.’

The R20 is designed to self-right after capsizing, and to cut through and surf waves. Light, sleek and adorned with logos of corporate sponsors and charities close to his heart

Mr Baker added: ’Aurelia is adorned with the logos of three not-for-profit organisations: Reach IoM; the Manx Wildlife Trust; and WhistleblowersUK. Each one, in their own unique way, provide an incredible selfless service, and I hope this expedition becomes a platform to raise funds and awareness for their causes.’

The MWT works to protect and care for the island’s wildlife and help people feel more connected to nature. Reach IoM is a charity that aims to demystify the social stigma behind mental health and WhistleblowersUK are champions of protecting the mental health of whistle-blowers.

To track Mr Baker’s journey across the Atlantic, visit www.reachintotheblue.com and to donate to his Just Giving page, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/reachintotheblue.