Champion Ottilie Robinson-Shaw at Baynards Primary School

Baynards Primary School in Tiptree hosted a workshop on Friday with four times British freestyle kayaking champion Ottilie Robinson-Shaw.

The fundraiser will help the school to invest in new equipment and opportunities for the pupils in after school clubs.

Ottilie, who is now 20, grew up in Frinton and paddled weekly in a swimming pool with Tendring Canoe Club.

From there she joined the Sudbury Canoe Club and met young members from the GB freestyle kayaking team.

She first competed when she was 12 and at just 14-years-old she was selected for Team GB to compete in the 2016 European Championships in Germany, where she was the youngest competitor at the event.

She has been through many challenges and will now lead a fitness circuit to educate, enable and empower the participants to inspire them.

Sports for champions UK (CIC) have partnered with Baynards Primary School to run the fundraiser to help to support the mental and physical health of pupils after the national lockdowns.

A representative from Baynards Primary School said: “All the children took part in a fitness circuit with the Commonwealth games athlete.

“The children were sponsored to take part in the circuit and some money will go to the school.

“We will spend it on new sports equipment for next term.”

The British World champion hopes to inspire others after getting through an ACL injury in 2018.

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She said: “I have always loved the water and being outside.

“When I was 11 I visited an open day at a rowing club and whilst there saw about 30 kids in brightly coloured kayaks having a massive amount of fun.

“I quickly forgot about rowing, began kayaking with local clubs, and just fell in love with the sport.

“Ever since I have dedicated most of my time to training, pushing my limits and seeing how good I can become but still foremost enjoying the water, the outdoors and having fun.”