AN intrepid youth worker rowing his way across the Atlantic to Barbados fears he may miss his target altogether if the winds of good fortune fail to blow.

Richard Wood, of Northwick Road, Worcester, has now travelled more than 1,000 miles since setting off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on Tuesday, January 20, for the gruelling 3,000-mile voyage.

In an e-mail to family and friends, Mr Wood - who is rowing in aid of St Richard's Hospice in Worcester - describes his fears that the wind may blow him off course and also describes his perilous encounter with a cargo ship.

"I am still worried about the ground lost to the south during the previous bad weather," says the 47-year-old father of three.

"Once I reach halfway point I have 1,500 miles to go west, but only 180 south, so you understand the dilemma. Too far south and I might miss the island! There is little I can do but pray for the winds and hope it all works out in the end."

He says during heavy cloud, he spotted a blob on the horizon that turned out to be a cargo ship.

"As it go closer I got out the binoculars and saw it was a ship heading straight for me," he said.

"I got my hand-held white anti-collision flare and the VHF and rowed with some urgency to the right angle of the course. It turned out to be a large cargo ship. I didn't see anyone and nobody called on the VHF. So I guess they didn't see me!"

Mr Wood, who works for Worcestershire County Council, says the text messages he has received via his website have kept his spirits up and urges people to continue sending them.

"Keep them coming as I really appreciate every one - remember a text a day helps you help a rower.

"I always look forward to the text messages which help a lot to remember there is a world or even land out there somewhere.

"It has been six weeks now since I saw another human being. I saw a yacht and tried to call it up on the hand-held VHF from a range of about two miles.

"But it was too far away and the waves were too big for them to pick up the signals so they sailed on. I do feel a bit sad not to have reached them."

To send a message of support to Mr Wood, log on to www.oceanrower.org.uk and follow the instructions.