Two-Time Gold Medalist Needs £15K for New Wheelchair

A Paralympic champion who brought glory to her hometown is facing an unexpected challenge that threatens the outdoor adventures she loves.

Rachel Morris, 46, has lived in Farnham her whole life and competed for Britain at three Paralympics. She won cycling gold in Beijing in 2008 and rowing gold in Rio in 2016, plus a bronze medal in London 2012.

Now she needs help replacing the specialized outdoor wheelchair she's relied on since that first gold medal. The custom-built chair is literally falling apart, held together with zip ties, duct tape, and bungee cords.

"It terrifies me," Rachel said. "If I don't have it, I can't get outside and do the activities I love."

The double amputee needs a chair built specifically for her body to maintain core stability. Standard hospital wheelchairs won't work for the rough terrain she navigates, from Scottish hiking trails to muddy canal towpaths where she still rows.

Rachel compares wheelchairs to shoes to help people understand. "The one I use outside, through mud and rough ground, is the equivalent of trail-running shoes or walking boots," she explained.

She's completed the West Highland Way, gone wild camping across Britain, and regularly travels uneven surfaces to reach the water for rowing. An electric chair would cost over £20,000, but Rachel wants to keep moving under her own power.

The £15,000 price tag puts a new chair out of reach. Government funding schemes only cover a fraction of the cost, and support varies wildly by location. "It's a postcode lottery," Rachel said.

Why This Inspires

Beyond her athletic achievements, Rachel leads a Girl Guides unit in Bourne, helping young girls with disabilities discover what they can do. Without a reliable wheelchair, she fears losing the ability to mentor the next generation.

Her friend Collette launched a GoFundMe campaign, describing Rachel as someone who "will always go out of her way to help others." The message resonates because it's true: Rachel would be first in line to support someone facing the same challenge.

The campaign has started gaining momentum as people recognize a simple truth. Champions don't stop being champions when they leave the podium, and sometimes heroes need a hand.