HEREFORDSHIRE’S world-renowned rower Kiko Matthews, whose record-breaking solo voyage across the Atlantic earlier this year made headlines around the globe, has written a book about her experience and will be talking about her experiences at a special fundraising evening at Dewsall Court on Thursday, October 25.

The daughter of former Hereford GP Dr Paddy Matthews and his wife, Genevieve Matthews, Kiko, having survived two operations to remove a tumour from her brain, then crossed the Atlantic single-handed in record-breaking time, and subsequently wrote about her experiences in Kiko: How to Break the Atlantic Rowing Record After Brain Surgery.

Her adventure succeeded in raising more than £110,000 for King’s College Hospital where she received her life-saving treatment.

The 37-year-old former Hereford Cathedral School pupil completed the 3,000-mile crossing from Gran Canaria to Barbados, with only the intermittent visits of a storm petrel for company, and shaving 11 days off the previous record to cross the ocean in 44 days.

Now Kiko is embarking on her next challenge, the 260 kilometre Wadi Rum Ultra Marathon across the Jordanian desert.

But before that, next Thursday, October 25, Kiko will be in conversation with Carl Attwood at Dewsall Court. Tickets, including English Fizz and canape reception) are available from Helen Cotterell on 07775 751122, email helencotterell@bridgesollers.co.uk.

Proceeds from the evening will be shared between The Music Pool and King's College Hospital.