Davinder Raju of the Dove Holistic Dental Centre in Sussex is sponsoring patient Grace Pybus as she rows across the Atlantic this December. Grace is one of a team of three embarking on the epic 3,000+ mile journey.

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Davinder and Grace

Dr Raju said that as soon as Grace told him about the challenge, he wanted to find a way to support her. She needed mouthguards to protect her teeth during the journey, and the deal was sealed.

As the founder of Greener Dental Global, the sustainability programme for dental practices, Dr Raju is very impressed by the rowing team's eco credentials, and said: ‘Vibe the Wave, as the team is named, is using a second-hand boat with a solar panel to generate energy, and they will collect waste plastic wherever they can to highlight the way rubbish is collecting in the ocean. They are taking every opportunity to demonstrate the importance of taking care of the planet.'

Grace said: ‘I became a patient of the practice because I like Davinder's philosophy, both clinical and environmental. It's great to know that he and his team are supporting me.'

Vibe the Wave is due to leave the Canary Island of La Gomera on 12 December as part of the annual Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, and the team expects to arrive in Antigua around a month later, depending on the tides and the weather. The trio hope to be the first all-female team to row across the Atlantic.