A Maidstone-based business has partnered up with an all-female rowing team which made history after spending 257 days at sea.

Inspiring Women, which specialises in female motivational speakers, coaches and mentors, has teamed up with the record-breaking Coxless Crew.

A team of six completed the 8,600 nautical-mile journey from America to Australia, departing San Francisco in April and mooring up at the Marlin Marina, in Cairns, earlier this month.

The gruelling slog across the Pacific Ocean saw the team become the first all-female crew to complete the task in a coxless four rowing boat.

They also broke records to become the first, and fastest, to row the Pacific.

Three members of the crew – Laura Penhaul, Natalia Cohen and Emma Mitchell – rowed the entire distance in their pink four-boat, Doris, while the others – Isabel Burnham, Lizanne van Vuuren and Meg Dyos – each joined them for one leg of the three leg challenge.

Headed by former England international rugby captain Catherine Spencer, Inspiring Women will manage the homecoming event for the team, who will return to the UK in April.

Ms Spencer said: “Inspiring Women was founded to provide a platform to share incredible and inspirational stories; the journey of the Coxless Crew definitely needs to be told and heard.

“All six of the women who have taken part in this world record feat are ordinary people who have done something extraordinary and we are hugely proud that they will be joining our speaker team.

“The Coxless Crew demonstrate if you really want to achieve something, with the right level of determination, belief and sheer hard work, anything can happen.”

The Coxless Crew aims to raise £250,000 for their chosen charities, Breast Cancer Care and Walking With The Wounded – the total currently stands at just under £38,500 – to find out more, and donate, visit www.coxlesscrew.com.