AN Atlantic rower has received a commendation at the same time as reaching her fundraising goals.

PC Dawn Wood has raised £15,000 for the Marine Conservation Society after rowing 3,000 miles solo from Gran Canaria to Barbados to raise awareness about plastic pollution.

She officially returned to work and made a guest appearance at the Essex Police Women’s Leadership and Development Forum’s International Women’s Day event.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington had secretly arranged to award her a Chief Constable’s commendation.

Mr Harrington said: “It was a privilege to meet PC Dawn Wood after her solo rowing challenge across the Atlantic and I was proud to be able to recognise her efforts with the award of Chief Constable’s Commendation.

“On a stand-out day celebrating inspirational women, it was entirely fitting for us to celebrate Dawn’s amazing achievement.”

Dawn was commended for her bravery and resilience in raising awareness about plastic pollution.

She said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed with all the donations people have made and can’t thank you all enough.

“This could not have happened without all the support. I may have done the row on my own but the entire campaign could not have been done with the support of friends, family and people who are new friends that I’ve never met before.”