AN Olympic rowing champion visited a Henley independent school for its Water Week.

Katherine Grainger spoke to children at St Mary’s School about her career and showed them the gold medal she won at London 2012 and three silvers from previous Games.

She admitted the gold medal was a “little bit bashed” because she had dropped it several times.

Grainger then took to ergo machines with pupils Charles Washbourn and Elliot Fielder to start the school’s challenge to row 364km — the length of the Thames — to raise money for the Water Aid charity.

Headteacher Rob Harmer said: “Water Week is a fantastic opportunity for the children to acquire lots of new skills and for us as teachers to observe them in different roles.”

Other activities included making dams and collecting rainwater while the children received talks from Water Aid and the Environment Agency.

Published 05/02/13