The Barchester team, called The Barchester Bravehearts due to the company's Scottish connections, will consist of five rowers from Dudwell St Mary Care Home in Burwash and eleven special guests from Barchester's Head Office and other home's.

More than 50 teams will take part in the event, with 2,000 spectators expected to cheer on the action at the event.

Each team has three races, with the ten fastest teams going through to an exciting all-in finale.

Last year, on the very first outing, the team reached the grand final, which consisted of the ten fastest boats from a field of 52 boats competing.

The team came in ninth place and this year is aiming for a top three finish.

The team will again be led by Geoff Pride, regional marketing manager, who believes that this year's team is even stronger.

The Barchester Bravehearts aim to top it's target sponsorship of £2,000 for the Hastings Alzheimer's Society with whom, since opening their Specialist Dementia Care Centre called Memory Lane, the care home have built a strong relationship with.

The money raised will go towards the society's Community Befriending Scheme.

This involves volunteers being recruited, trained and then matched with a carer or someone with dementia who feels isolated and in need of regular companionship.

The scheme so far is proving to be a great successful but still needs more funding.

Members of the Barchester Bravehearts include Chris Bamford, John Smith, Barry Healy, Ian Saunders, Holly Saunders, Jim Fogden, Lesley Harris, Ellen Timson, Martin Roux, Sandy Owens, Kouda Mapondera, Ronnel Del Rosario, Domink Paskowski, Jonathon Diss, Paul Atkins, Briony Saunders, and Bob Timson.

To sponsor the team, visit http://www.justgiving.com/dudwell.