OLYMPIC gold medal swimmer Becky Adlington praised pupils who made a giant splash by swimming more than 5,000 lengths for hurricane-relief.

Fifty two students and staff from Monmouth School for Girls took the plunge after hearing that the Caribbean family home of one of their house parents had been destroyed by Hurricane Irma.

And Games star Adlington tweeted her support for completing their Sunday, September 24 swimathon, saying: “Wow!!!! Absolutely incredible! Congratulations.”

Sixth form pupils from the school’s Augusta House came together after the family home of assistant house parent Sam Parsons, 24, had been devastated.

His brother Tim, mother Gill and stepfather Rob Hales were on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands when Hurricane Irma battered the island, flattening homes and businesses, only to be followed by more destruction when Hurricane Irma struck.

The three-and-a-half-hour swimathon was organised by Tim’s partner, Pippa Williams, also an assistant houseparent in Augusta House. And they smashed their 2,228-length swim­athon target in the school pool, representing the 55.7km surface area of Tortola, swimming more than 133km and raising around £2,500 for the Virgin Unite appeal.

Pippa said: “It was an immense community effort which saw the whole boarding house come together. We felt useless from the comfort of our boarding house and we wanted to do something to help the hurricane victims in the British Virgin Islands.

“We swam a fantastic 5,326 lengths – equivalent to an area covering the three largest islands in the British Virgin Islands – Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada.

“Some girls swam 300 lengths while others did what they could – in some cases two or three lengths with a float – so it was an overwhelming effort with everyone chipping in. Those who didn’t swim proved vital on the poolside, counting endless numbers of lengths and encouraging everyone.

“We had messages of support from swimming star Rebecca Adlington on social media before and after the event and that helped to inspire and motivate the girls.”

The girls also made and sold 45 friendship bracelets and 40 personalised water bottles to raise money. So far the team has received nearly £900 in online donations and £500 in cash, while the school’s charity committee has agreed to pledge up to £1,000.

Pippa added: “One girl who said she would do 20 lengths, ended up completing 130 lengths which typified the spirit. Afterwards, housemistress Julie Ann Morse cooked vast quantities of pasta which we ate together and raised a glass of bucks fizz to celebrate the efforts.”

Tim’s mum and stepfather were due to fly back to the UK on an emergency flight to stay with family members. He added: “My parents messaged us after our swimathon to say well done and how very proud they were of everyone’s brilliant achievements.”