Cancer sufferer, Nicholas Baker, is turning his serious illness into an opportunity to help others.

The 46-year-old yacht broker, from Owslebury, near Winchester, plans to make the voyage of his life by sailing the Atlantic single-handed to raise money for several charities.

On Tuesday, January 25th, he will set out from The Canaries on the 50ft yacht, Aqualung, to begin a 2,800-mile journey to Antigua.

Nicholas, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with cancer in his right lung three years ago. One third of the lung was removed. Then, in April, 2003, he received confirmation that the cancer had returned and was in both lungs.

His wife, Karen (43), said: "He is determined to make something positive out of this totally unexpected development in his life - hence this fund-raising venture."

Nicholas explained: "When I was ill, I looked at a way of turning it to good use and raising money for charity. A friend said: 'Sail single-handed across the Atlantic' and I said: 'Absolutely not!' Now I think I am just beginning to get used to the idea."

Despite his illness, Nicholas says he is reasonably fit. He has been training with a Winchester-based yacht instructor, Martin Musgrove, for a year.

"I have been sailing since I was 14, but this will be the first time I have done such a long distance," he said.

The couple's children, Rosanna (16), Francesca (14) and Charlie (11), are right behind the project, helping this week to mail off sponsorship requests.

Nicholas paid tribute to Ansbacher, the merchant bank in London, which, when he asked for sponsorship, generously agreed to buy the yacht for him.

"Without Ansbacher, this would not be happening - we have to sell it afterwards," he added.

The Aqualung Trust has been set up to handle the fund-raising and the good causes that the money will go to include the Magpie Cancer Centre Campaign at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, the Winchester Medical Foundation, which is raising £2.5m to buy extra equipment and fund facilities there, and the Institute of Cancer Research.

Also benefiting will be Merlin, which provides immediate response to medical emergencies throughout the world and which is now involved in relief work in the Indian Ocean, and Encompass, a charity formed after Daniel Braden, the son of yachtbroker, Alex Braden, was killed in the Bali bombing in October, 2002.

Encompass aims to "fight terrorism peacefully" by promoting understanding and tolerance between young people of different backgrounds, faiths and cultures.

Sponsors can specify that their money should go to one of the charities or simply to the trust so that it can be divided equally.

Donations may be sent to the Aqualung Trust, c/o Clyde and Co, 51, Eastcheap, London EC3M 1JP. Information is also available at www. aqua lungtrust.org