THE headmaster of Abingdon School has completed a sporting challenge to raise money as a leaving present for the school.

Mark Turner rowed along the River Thames from Abingdon to Henley to help the school’s boat club.

He trained for nine months before setting out on the first leg of his challenge on Saturday, May 15, when he rowed 23 miles from Abingdon to Pangbourne in seven hours.

He completed the 16-mile leg from Pangbourne to Henley the following Saturday.

Mr Turner said: “I’m delighted to help towards raising some extra funds to improve the facilities in our boathouse and extend our fleet of boats.

“It was marvellous to finish this 43 mile row on the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta course.”

He added: “It was great to have it confirmed that the target of £8,000 has been raised towards a new ‘pair’ for the school boat club. I would like to thank all those who offered such splendid support, both moral and financial, along the way.”

Mr Turner is moving to Shrewsbury School at the end of the summer term after nine years at the helm in Abingdon.