BLIND rower Susannah Barnett faces one of the sport’s biggest challenges tomorrow as she competes in the Scullers Head of the River Race.

Barnett, a member of Worcester Rowing Club, will tackle the four-and-a-quarter-mile University Boat Race course on the Thames.

Following a plea in your Worcester News, around £2,000 was raised for a custom-built small boat to allow Barnett to fulfil her ambition.

Local charity the Bransford Trust donated £1,500 towards the project, while Peach Recruitment and Premier Places contributed another £500.

Barnett, who will row with the help of a two-way radio to communicate with a sighted oarsman in a boat, will be up against 550 competitors on the tidal course.

It is the first time in the event’s 61-year history that disabled rowers have been allowed to take part and, despite having her initial entry rejected on safety grounds, she has now been accepted as one of three disabled rowers.

She said: “When I am on the water I have already won against disability.”