Atlantic rower Debra Searle inspired students at St Margaret’s School with tales of her adventures when she presented the awards at their annual prize giving.
Ms Searle, the youngest trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh awards, told how she crossed the ocean solo.
Headmistress Karen Cordon said: “It was wonderful for the children to hear how it feels to be faced with overwhelming obstacles.”
Mrs Cordon also announced that students had raised more than £4,000 this year for their adopted charity, Mukuri School in Kenya.
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