Teacher competes in powerchair race across Europe

Kate wearing a bright yellow T-shirt smiling at the camera. She is wearing glasses and has mid-length brown hair. She is sitting in her wheelchair in front of a set of steps.Image source, Kate Strachecky
Image caption,

Kate Strachecky is heading to Turin in the hopes of winning £870

  • Published

A language teacher is competing against three others in a powered wheelchair race from London to northern Italy.

Kate Strachecky, 41, from Nailsea, will have to navigate cities, borders, public transport, and accessibility barriers, all while taking on daily challenges – to reach Turin first for the chance to win €1,000 (£870).

Race founder and wheelchair manufacturer Freedom One Life said it wanted to challenge outdated narratives around mobility and independence.

Ms Strachecky, who set off on Monday, said: "I've decided to live life to the fullest – and what better way to do that than by racing across Europe."

The mother of two, who teaches Spanish, said: "I want to show that with the right tools and support, anyone can live a full and active life, and I like challenging common misconceptions about powerchair users."

Freedom One Life founder Alex Papanikolaou said: "I constantly hear how stressful and inaccessible travel is to disabled people, so I wanted to make a big and bold statement and really show what's possible.

"With the right equipment, planning and support, we can lead the adventure."

Four people using wheelchairs sat inside a large train station looking at the camera.Image source, Rob Dyson
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The four contestants, with Ms Strachecky on the right, start in London

Mr Papanikolaou said: "The four competitors we've chosen each bring something totally unique and I can't wait to see how they take on this challenge.

"They're not just racing across Europe, they're changing the conversation around what freedom and accessible travel really looks like."

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