The Who’s Roger Daltrey has given his backing to his friend who is to take part in a challenging sailing race to raise money for two cancer charities.

Restaurateur Gary Colt will be joining one of the 12 yachts taking part in the Clipper Round The World yacht race which starts in London at the end of this month.

Roger Daltrey and Gary Colt onboard a yacht
Gary and Roger meet some of the young cancer sufferers for whom the money is being raised (Teenage Cancer Trust/PA)

The 53-year-old, who was born in the USA but now runs a restaurant on the Caribbean island of Nevis, will be taking part in two legs of the 40,000-nautical mile race, with the aim of fundraising for the Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.

Gary was joined by his pal Roger to meet young people with cancer at the Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit at Southampton General Hospital, Hampshire, before giving some of the youngsters a tour of the LMAX Exchange Clipper yacht at Gosport.

Roger Daltrey
Roger just doing his day job (Yui Mok/PA)

Roger said: “It’s courageous to take on one of the toughest endurance tests of our time to raise money for teenagers with cancer. I’m patron of both charities and the services they provide are vitally important for teenagers facing this terrible disease.

“Treating them together in a place that doesn’t feel like a hospital makes a huge difference to their experience. I’m here today to wish Gary luck, he’s going to need it.”

Gary said: “Meeting the teenagers today was a privilege and great fun. The Clipper race is the biggest challenge the ocean has to offer and I’m determined to work my hardest at sea to raise as much money as possible for young people like them.”

Roger Daltrey
Teenage cancer is a cause close to Roger’s heart (Rob Grabowski/Invision)

Kate Collins, director of fundraising at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We want to say a huge thank you and best of luck to Gary for taking on this remarkable race. Right now, for every young person we help, there is another we can’t, so the support of awe-inspiring people like Gary really does make all the difference.”

The Clipper race is the world’s longest ocean race which was launched by legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and the only event of its kind which allows amateurs to take part.