STUDENTS, staff and parents of a Malvern school will be doing a sponsored row outside Waitrose in Malvern in support of a former pupil who crossed the Atlantic single-handed.

Kiko Matthews, from Herefordshire, last month smashed the world record for the fastest woman to row the Atlantic solo and unsupported, taking seven days off the previous record of 56 days to cover the 3,000-nautical-mile journey.

Her feat also raised nearly £90,000 for King’s College Hospital, where she was treated for a life-threatening illness, Cushing’s disease.

Malvern St James was a founder sponsor of Kiko’s challenge, helping to fund the boat and preparations for her world record attempt. Now the school wants to help her reach her fundraising target of £100,000.

The row is on Saturday, May 12, starting at 10am, and the school is encouraging members of the MSJ Sports Centre and the whole Malvern community take to the rowing machines for a five-minute slot, or simply by donating. They hope to row a total of 100 kilometres.

Head Olivera Raraty said: “Kiko is a phenomenal individual who has shown exceptional courage, determination and resilience – personal attributes that we value highly and that we aim to foster amongst our students. She is also warm and generous, and good fun to be around.

"Kiko has already been in to see us twice before she embarked on her journey, and we’re looking forward to her presenting our annual Prizegiving ceremony at the end of this term. There are lots of lessons about fearlessness and embracing challenge that we can learn from her. We are proud to have her as one of our alumnae and a shining example of the positive benefits of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.”

"I hope that the people of Malvern will come along and support us. Last year we raised over £12,000 for Malvern Special Families, pooling the efforts of MSJ students, staff and parents, as well as former staff, old girls and community groups. It shows what can be achieved when people come together.”

This event is rescheduled from March, when it was postponed because of heavy snow.