Teenage disabled sailor Natasha Lambert has been presented with the British Empire medal at a special awards ceremony held at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Natasha, who sails using her mouth to sail a specially adapted yacht and walks with a special walker propelled by herself, has successfully completed four major charity challenges in the past four years.
She has sailed around the Isle of Wight, crossed the Channel, sailed more than 500 miles to Wales, climbed the highest peak in Southern Britain and, this year, sailed from Cowes to London and then completed a walk from St Katharine Docks to the Bank of England and back.
Natasha Lambert sailing Miss Isle Too
Natasha, from the Isle of Wight, undertakes these challenges to test herself and to raise funds for charity. The activities would be remarkable for any teenager but Natasha has athertoid cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and has little control over her movements.
The British Empire Medal is awarded in recognition of a sustained, local contribution or innovative, high-impact work of a relatively short duration. Natasha received her award for her fundraising in the community.
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At the ceremony, Natasha was presented the award by Major General Martin White, in front of her parents Gary and Amanda, her grandparents, Kenneth and Margaret Lambert and sister, Rachel.
Natasha said: ‘Can’t believe I have a medal. It was an amazing night. I feel lucky to be able to do things for other people. Now I want to get loads of people on the water through my sailing school.’