A host of Paralympians and Olympians will be joining the Princess Royal in Marlow tomorrow as she prepares to launch a new accessible regatta for children with disabilities. 

The river will come to life tomorrow as HRH The Princess Royal officially opens the first ever Rivertime Accessible Regatta at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.

More than 350 children from 20 schools in the Thames Valley will take part in the event, which is aimed at children with disabilities and special needs aged eight to 15.  

As the final preparations are put in place for the first-of-its-kind regatta, it has been announced that Paralympian Naomi Riches, gold medallist Dame Katherine Grainger, double gold rowing champion, Steve Williams and para-canoeist Anne Dickins will take part. 

The regatta, which is being organised by the Rivertime Boat Trust and the charity Give Them a Sporting Chance – which Her Royal Highness is a guardian of – will feature a full-on programme of water sports including bell boating, sailing and powerboating.

The Princess Royal will be escorted by James Puxley, the Lord Lieutenant for Berkshire, and will be starting the first race, as well as meeting young people taking part in the water sports and the land-based activities. 

Simon Davis, Rivertime Boat Trust Co-founder and Chairman said: “We are delighted that as well as the Princess Royal joining us to launch our first Accessible Regatta, we will also be joined by a number of Paralympic and Olympic athletes.

"They will no doubt act as an inspiration for the hundreds of young people taking part in this unique event, which is providing participation for so many children and young people in one place at one time."