A father of two hopes to give the Oxford Children's Hospital campaign a massive boost when he becomes the first yachtsman to sail single-handedly around the globe via the Arctic.

Adrian Flanagan, 44, is aiming to raise money and awareness for the hospital appeal and gain a place in sailing history at the same time.

Mr Flanagan, who lives in Ludgershall, near Bicester, will live out his dream to complete the record-breaking challenge when he sets sail in September.

He will be at sea for about 300 days, covering more than 35,000 miles over the Atlantic towards Africa, passing south of Australia, going north over the Pacific and through the Arctic before sailing across the North Sea and back into the Channel.

"It is a daunting prospect but unquestionably the last great single-handed sailing prize to remain unclaimed," said Mr Flanagan, who has two sons, Benjamin, six, and Gabriel, three.

"No one has ever been round on a longitudinal axis north-south -- over the top.

"I thought if I do this, I could raise money for charity at the same time. Since I have two young children myself, I decided to support the Oxford Children's Hospital. It will not just exclusively benefit children locally but children up and down the country."

Mr Flanagan, a qualified osteopath and business consultant, said he has wanted to do this since he was a teenager.

"When I was 16 I was bored, I went into my father's study and read about Sir Francis Chichester's account of his round-the-world voyage," he said.

"I sat up the whole night and read it cover to cover. It just flicked a switch and ever since I have wanted to sail around the world myself."

Janet Sprake, fundraising manager of the Oxford Children's Hospital campaign, said: "The campaign is delighted with the support and publicity that this venture will give it and we admire Adrian very much for his bravery in undertaking this daunting task. We wish him all the luck in the world."

Mr Flanagan has been training at the UK Sailing Academy in Cowes, Isle of Wight, and has already picked up the £90,000 boat from Montpellier, France, and will soon bring it back to the UK.

Between now and the planned September departure date, several training runs are due to take place both with a crew and, most importantly, alone.

As part of his preparations, he will undertake a return trip to New York, probably via the Azores, as well as a trip to Iceland.

"Learning to cope with rogue waves and heavy weather will be one of the toughest tests. It will be physically, mentally and spiritually challenging but perhaps the most difficult part will be not seeing my children for a year," he said. He will be able to keep in touch with family and friends via e-mail and a satellite phone, but will not stop at any port for food or water and will carry out all repairs on the boat himself.