A WINDSURFING race against perilous tides will boost funds for an amputee soldier who dreams of taking to his board again.

Teams will race around the Isle Of Wight to boost efforts to help their comrade.

RAF Flight Sergeant Ginge Ashmore, of Scunthorpe, is part of a team of four circumnavigating the island for military charities.

The 46-year-old said: "It's well publicised about servicemen getting killed, but not about them losing limbs.

"Any money we can raise is a godsend.

"The RAF are doing a lot to help Craig Wood fulfil his dream of windsurfing again."

Rifleman Craig Wood is a triple amputee, and the inspiration for the charity windsurf.

A total of 70 per cent of funds will go to Help For Heroes, with the rest divided between ABF The Soldiers' Charity, The Royal Navy And Royal Marines Charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Though an experienced windsurfer, Flt Sgt Ashmore thinks the challenge will be testing.

"It's a bit dubious around the back of the island, as you get a swell of three or four metres," he said.

"It's severe enough that we've had to get special boats in as others can't keep up.

"I've been clocked on the water at 40mph and boats couldn't keep up.

"I used to race for the RAF and I've been coaching for the military for the past 15 years, but I've never done long-distance windsurfing before."

The charity challenge is scheduled for the week beginning Monday, September 13, due to weather conditions.

Flt Sgt Ashmore said: "We can't do the challenge until we get the right weather.

"It's too dangerous if the wind is at the wrong speed.

"We're living on the island for the week." To circumnavigate the Isle Of Wight, which has a circumference of 58 miles, requires the challenger to sail on every point of the wind, combat very strong tides and deal with the infamous sea states.

The minimum distance is estimated to be at least 100 miles, and the journey could take more than ten hours.

This combination of factors makes the challenge far more testing than a simple channel crossing.

There will be a naval ship and a helicopter present for the week and it is understood the event may be shown on the news.

Flt Sgt Ashmore, who is posted at RAF Wittering, has already started his fundraising.

He said: "I've already done a spinathon and we raised £2,000.

"We've raised about £6,000 so far and we aim to make £50,000."

He will be racing alongside people who know what difference the money can make.

He said: "One of the guys doing it is the head of prosthetics at Headley Court.

"It's the rehabilitation centre where they get people to walk again."

To make a donation, visit www.forceswindsurfing.org.uk