If the weather stays calm Helen Taylor, 22, a member of the town’s rowing club could finish her ocean crossing today or tomorrow to become the youngest woman to complete the 3,500-mile voyage in the quickest time.

Suffering from salt sores, exhaustion and continual drenching from towering waves crashing on to her row boat, Helen has been at sea since leaving Australia with her crew of seven international athletes on April 28.

Helen’s parents Neill and Hazel Taylor spoke to the Free Press just hours before flying to Mauritius to await her arrival.

“It has been nothing short of an absolute nightmare for the past two months. Trying to get on with a normal life while Helen is out on the ocean day and night is unbearable. We are, of course, incredibly proud but when we see that row boat pull up on to land and Helen step off we might be able to relax again,” said Neill.

The Oxford graduate set out on one of the world’s toughest sea challenges to raise money for the Scope respite centre in Bury St Edmunds where she volunteers along with her mother.

Neill said the last phone call from Helen, patched through to them on the on-board satellite phone, was a little disconcerting.

He said: “She sounded exhausted and, despite the incredible adventure, I really got the impression she wants this to end now.

“She said her body was beginning to pack up, from her aching feet to her hands that are locked into claws after the relentless rowing. The last few days have been very tough as a side wind has been relentlessly dumping water on the boat, soaking everything so she never gets dry.”

Helen has sacrificed a return to university later this year to complete a Masters in bio-mechanics due to the financial commitment of taking part in the challenge.

lAnyone who would like to help Helen reach her £20,000 charity target should email indianoceanrow@gmail.com.

For more information on the challenge go to www.indian oceanrow@gmail.com

The Free Press will announce the moment the crew arrive in Mauritius on our website. Go to www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk.