Sir Steve's sponsor donates quad boat to his old school

Also, a lottery grant of £50,000 of equipment may soon be donated to Marlow Rowing Club, all to be used to help train students at the Bobmore Lane school in Marlow. The club will hear if the lottery bid has been successful by the end of this month.

There are also hopes for a new sports hall and all-weather pitch at Sir Steve's old secondary school, where he first learnt to row.

Once a force to be reckoned with, Great Marlow School has slipped down the rowing league tables over the years due to a lack of cash, the strict guidelines of the National Curriculum and the departure of Steve's old rowing teacher Francis Smith.

Clive Ricks, headteacher at the school, said: "People like Steve who were not so academically gifted spent much of their time doing things more suitable and not so academically onerous."

Mr Ricks was presented with a mock-up of the boat on Carlton Television show Stars and Their Lives.

The show, which profiles famous people and their rise to success, featured Sir Steve last Sunday along with his family and friends.

Mr Ricks commented: "Steve is very keen to get involved and he is going to do his bit for us. A number of children have already expressed an interest. Steve is a great role model for them. We may not produce another Steve Redgrave but I'm sure some of the kids will do us proud."

The state of the art quad is being built by rowing boat specialist Aylings and will be finished this month.

Mr Ricks added: "Lombard has supported Steve for four years and wanted to show a mark of appreciation for his efforts. This will really kick-start rowing again at the school.

"We are now looking forward to getting our new sports hall up and running. Hopefully Steve's influence will help with this."

Mr Ricks said that Steve had no idea about Lombard's donation: "He said he saw me in the audience and wondered what I was doing there. He was delighted."