Amputee ex-nurse eyes wheelchair challenge record

Lexi Chambers will pass on a signed rugby ball from club to club while travelling from John O'Groats to Land's End

An ex-nurse is attempting to set a new world record by travelling from John O’Groats to Land's End in 45 days using a standard wheelchair.

Army veteran Lexi Chambers has fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) - with the latter resulting in her leg being amputated three years ago.

She has four world records to her name and hopes to add another in her upcoming fundraiser called End 2 End The Rugby Relay.

"My goal is to inspire by demonstrating that despite adversity, achieving dreams is possible," said Ms Chambers.

A small team of volunteers will be supporting Ms Chambers along the route

Ms Chambers used to run half-marathons and take part in fitness competitions, before the medical conditions which resulted in her below-the-knee amputation.

But she did not want it to "be the end of sport" for her so she adapted the events she could take part in and set new challenges.

Ms Chambers' world records include wheeling non-stop around an athletics track for 12 hours, and completing the Bath half-marathon in October 2023.

The rugby fan is raising money for the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and the Aaron Lewis Foundation.

Ms Chambers said she did not have access to a sport wheelchair, and so wants to use the challenge to encourage people to take part in sport no matter what level of experience or equipment they have.

She will set off from John O'Groats at 09:15 BST on Tuesday 27 August and plans to arrive at Bath Rugby Club on 28 September and Bristol two days later, before reaching Land's End around 11 October.