We are thrilled to be supporting a local para athlete in a series of world record breaking attempts, to raise much needed funds for charity.
Lexi Chambers will participate in a 12-hour, non-stop wheel around Exeter Arena on 21 August, hoping to beat the world record and raise funds for the Aaron Lewis Foundation at the same time.
Lexi, who lives in Exeter, had been living with painful hammer toes for many years. After multiple surgeries to try and correct the hammer toes, she suffered with Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome and opted for amputation. CRPS is often known as the ‘suicide’ disease due to the pain associated with it. Sadly, only two weeks after the amputation, the CRPS returned, and Lexi still suffers with it today.
It was whilst Lexi was recovering from her amputation in 2020 and following her retirement as a Nurse, she had the idea of participating in races using her NHS-provided (non-sport) wheelchair. She’d always dreamt of climbing Mount Everest but once she realised that this was no longer possible, she wanted to set herself a new challenge.
A 2km training wheel along Exeter Quayside led to her participating in the London marathon, using her everyday wheelchair. Lexi completed the marathon and subsequently set herself a series of challenges over a four month period, including two triathlons and four half marathons – all raising money for Blesma (the limbless veterans charity). She also set two new world records for the fastest half and full marathon using a non-sport wheelchair, which she achieved at the Bridgwater Half and London Marathon. Then, in 2022 Lexi also achieved two virtual marathons and a further 11 virtual challenges.
And now, with the support of Cartridges Law, Lexi aims to raise further awareness, by participating in a 12-hour wheel at Exeter Arena, again, an attempt to break a world record. Using a standard wheelchair provided by the Aaron Lewis Foundation, Lexi hopes to raise significant funds for the charity as well as inspiring others in the process. No female has ever attempted a 12-hour wheel using a non-sport wheelchair before.
“Throughout all of my challenges, I want to show people that if you can’t afford a £60k wheelchair, it shouldn’t stop you from participating in exercise and events such as this. In all the events to date, I’ve constantly tested myself to see what is possible using the sort of wheelchair that most people would have.”
Cartridges Law is supporting Lexi, setting up an exhibition in our reception area showing visitors and clients some of Lexi’s incredible achievements over the years. We’re also featuring Lexi’s artwork on our walls as part of our CARTridges exhibition.
Nicky Mein, partner at Cartridges Law explains why the business is so keen to support Lexi in this way.
“Community has an important role to play in Cartridges Law, and people such as Lexi who have overcome so many challenges in their life mean a lot to our team here. Lexi’s story has and continues to inspire us, and we hope that by supporting her, we can inspire others too.”
Find out more about Lexi Chambers’ fundraising challenges on Instagram @lexi.alyx.chambers or visit her fundraising page.
