Three Gravesend schools are to benefit from a £40,000 grant to help get youngsters rowing.

St John’s Catholic Comprehensive, Orchards Academy and Meopham School can look forward to increased access to the sport through their links with the Active Row Kent (ARK) programme.

ARK, who have worked with more than 700 youngsters since their launch in January last year, are part of London Youth Rowing’s national Active Row programme.

They have been awarded the grant over two years by the Port of London Authority and British Rowing and will use the funds to expand their work in Gravesend.

The aim is to encourage groups that are less likely to engage in physical activity on the river, including individuals from ethnically diverse communities, lower socio-economic groups and disabled people.

Schools will be provided with coaching and indoor rowing machines to set up a club and progress to rowing on the water at Gravesend Rowing Club in the spring and summer.

Matt Rostron, chief executive of London Youth Rowing, said: “We know that, at LYR, we are in a wonderful position to help change the lives of so many young people through access to the vital life skills that a sport like rowing can offer.

“This support is only available thanks to our wonderful funding partners and organisations that prove year on year that they care about making a difference and getting increased, and more diverse, groups of young people engaged in sport and physical activity.

“We thank the PLA and British Rowing for this funding, through Active Thames, to allow us to grow our Active Row Kent programme and reach even more young people in Gravesend and the surrounding areas.

“Our Active Row project is made possible thanks to the continued support of a wide range of funders who all see the benefits that our Active Row programme brings.”