PUPILS, staff and parents of Malvern St James Girls’ School are doing a sponsored row outside the town’s Waitrose store this weekend in aid of a former student who crossed the Atlantic in record time.
Last month Kiko Matthews smashed the world record for the fastest woman to row across the ocean single-handedly, taking seven days off the previous record of 56 days.
She raised almost £90,000 for King’s College Hospital in the process.
Kiko was treated at the hospital for the life-threatening Cushing’s disease.
Malvern St James was a sponsor of her challenge, providing funding for her boat and preparations and now the Avenue Road school wants to push her fund-raising efforts through the £100,000 barrier.
The sponsored row takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am outside the Waitrose in Edith Walk.
And the school is encouraging the whole community to take part in the event.
MSJ headmistress 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.
“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 prize-giving ceremony at the end of this term.
“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 local charity Malvern Special Families, pooling the efforts of MSJ students, staff and parents, as well as former staff, Old Girls and community groups that we are involved with such as Malvern Junior Gym, The Jenny Lind Singers and Elmslie House.
“It shows what can be achieved when people come together.”
