His attempt to break a world rowing record was abandoned to save a man’s life – but now the heroics are over, Oliver Dudley is preparing to embark on a fresh effort to enter the history books.

Despite dealing with sleep deprivation, weight loss, blisters on his hands and pressure sores on his backside, the Richmond endurance rower and three teammates are again planning to row around the UK in record-breaking time next June.

Last week’s Richmond and Twickenham Times told of the foursome’s recent attempt, which ended in failure when they sacrificed the bid by racing to the rescue of a pilot, who crashed his plane in the sea off the Irish coast, on August 11.

Their actions led to the coastguard rescuing John O’Shaughnessy, the pilot and only passenger on board the light aircraft, and sparked a media frenzy, with reports as far afield as Australia, America and Mexico hailing the rowers as heroes.

But more than a week on, Mr Dudley, of Friars Stile Road, said the rowers were yet to be in contact with the man last seen being hoisted on to a helicopter from the wing of his sinking plane.

Mr Dudley said: “I guess he’s just a quiet family man and does not want the whirlwind media attention.”

Coastguard staff in Co Waterford, who airlifted Mr O’Shaughnessy to safety after hearing a mayday call from the rowers, said they were unaware whether the foursome would be in line to receive any official praise for their efforts.

But Mr Dudley said the team had already received the biggest prize – international exposure for their chosen charity, Orchid, which is dedicated to fighting cancer in men.

Mr Dudley is optimistic of success when they repeat the world record attempt next year. The 33-year-old took on this year’s bid with just two days’ notice and remembers stepping on to the boat in Dover thinking: “I have never pulled two oars in my life and I am not fit.

He said: “We are definitely going to try it again in June, as much wiser people.

“It is an obsession saying yes to things and something in my DNA that I have to do.

“My passion is to inspire other people to think positive.”