THE family of a charity rower found dead in his boat while crossing the Atlantic are appealing for help to bring his body home.

Michael Holt, originally from Porthmadog in Wales, but who was living in Heswall at the time of his death, died attempting to row from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands to Barbados in the Caribbean.

He was raising money for mental health charity Mind, as well as Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services.

Sadly, Michael, aged 54, was found dead in his boat around 700 miles into his voyage after it is believed he fell ill. 

He suffered from type 1 diabetes and it is understood he could not get insurance for the journey which he begun on January 27 this year.

Michael's family raised the alarm after they lost contact with him but they were able to pass his last-known co-ordinates to search and rescue authorities in Cape Verde who directed a fishing vessel out to him.

His boat has now been towed back to Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde.

Barry Hayes, a friend who was updating Michael's social media page, said: "As a type 1 diabetic, this was both ground breaking, and incredibly inspiring.

"It also brought with it an increased element of risk. He took considerable measures to limit any issues (a 12v fridge built into his boat for his insulin, automatic blood monitoring in his arm, 24 hour telephone support, etc), but the risk was such, that he was uninsurable. When you operate in the most extreme end of the possible, this is common.

"Michael knew all of this, but as his friends and family will attest, he was passionate, and stubborn as a mule - rowing an ocean solo was something that gave him drive and focus. This was something he wanted to do."

Barry has now set up a gofundme page to raise funds to assist with the repatriation of Michael's body.

He said: Now the family need to get Michael home. It's not particularly simple and it's an expensive operation.

"The full extent of the costs is not known at this stage, however if there happens to be a surplus, then these funds will be donated to the charities that Michael was supporting."

Almost £20,000 has been raised so far in just over 24 hours. 

To donate go to: gofund.me/d7308f8a