A gig built by wounded forces veterans at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth has been put through it's paces at the World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly.

The H4H Valiant was built by a team from the Great Big Cornish Gig Project, run by the museum and core funded by the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant scheme, before being rowed across to the islands by the very same team.

On the Friday of the championship weekend, the gig's builders handed H4H VAliant over to the Help for Heroes Gig Rowing Team, who rowed her throughout the weekend to achieve a final place of 100 out of the 135 boats taking part.

Help for Heroes’ Marty Aldrich presented Mike Selwood, the driving force behind the Maritime Museum team alongside injured Marine turned boatbuilder Al Henderson, with an original drawing from charity founder Bryn Parry of H4H Valiant, crewed by a series of Hero Bears from different services. The artwork will now be displayed in the Museum in Falmouth as a token of an appreciation to those who have dedicated their time to the gig build project.

Brian Kilgannon, the oldest member of the Help for Heroes team at 62, said: "H4H Valiant is a dream to row. She's been very well made and the difference in the way she handles compared to some of the older boats is noticeable."

After handing over the boat they had worked so hard on, the Epic Row crew were still able to compete in the racing thanks to the generosity of Tresco and Bryher Gig Club. In Emperor, a gig borrowed from the club, the team finished the weekend in 115th place.