Olympic rowing champion Katherine Grainger has thrown her weight behind a scheme to save energy in schools across Devon and Cornwall.
The Switch-Off Fortnight is organised by EDF Energy's national education programme, The Pod, to encourage schools to reduce energy consumption.
So far, 69 schools in Devon and 29 in Cornwall have signed up for the campaign, which started yesterday and runs until December 2.
Katherine, 36, who won gold in the coxless double sculls, said there were parallels with her sport.
She said: "I'm hoping the hundreds of thousands of children at all the schools taking part in Switch-Off Fortnight put in gold-medal performances.
"In rowing, conserving energy for the long haul is absolutely vital – and the same is true for how we use energy every day.
"What I've seen at just one Pod school is so inspiring. They are working hard as a community to become more sustainable and I'm not surprised that they are a gold-medal Pod school.
"This year, children are taking the energy-saving message home and I'm sure they will inspire family and friends to get involved."
The EDF Energy Pod is encouraging schools across the UK to take part in the campaign and to raise awareness of why it is important to save energy.
This year's activity will focus on the 'take it home' message, encouraging pupils to inspire families and friends to adopt the same good energy habits.
Robyn Thorn, who manages The Pod, said: "Switch-Off Fortnight continues to be a great Pod initiative that raises awareness of energy issues within schools and their local community. We hope it will spark year-round energy-saving behaviour."
"This year we're excited to be encouraging children to 'take it home', doing some of the great activities they've been working on at school back at home."
Schools in Devon taking part include Colyton Grammar School, Chaddlewood Primary School in Plymouth, Winkleigh Primary School, Newton St Cyres Primary School in Exeter, The Kings School in Otter St Mary, St Andrews CE Primary School in Yelverton, Our Lady's Catholic Primary School in Barnstaple, Denbury Primary School in Newton Abbot, North Tawton Primary School in North Tawton, Georgeham CE Primary School in Brauton and Torre CE Primary School in Torquay.
And in Cornwall schools taking part include Upton Cross Primary School in Liskeard, Nancledra Primary School in Penzance, St Agnes Primary School, Gwinear Primary School in Hayle, and Falmouth Community School.