Rachel Morris's hopes of defending her Olympic Hand-cycling title, in the upcoming Olympic Games, were dashed recently as a result of a car crash. The 33-year-old from Farnham was taking part in a time trial near her home and was on the A31 near Alton in Hampshire, when a car ran into the offside of her specialist hand-cycle destroying the wheel and the frame and throwing her into the air.

On 10 July a campaign was set up, by a local businessman supported by the local Farnham and South East regional Lions and The Farnham Herald newspaper, to raise funds to help Rachel achieve her dream of competing in the London 2012 Paralympics with her sights set on winning another gold medal.

Through the incredible kindness and generosity of individuals and organisations both local, across the country and worldwide, we have reached our original targeted objective and more - in just one week!

This means that not only the purchase of a new competition hand cycle and wheels will be covered, but Rachel will be able to purchase the specialist fitness and training support equipment she urgently needs for the next few weeks and for her future endeavours. This will enable her to recover more quickly from her recent mishap and help her to be as fit as possible for her challenge.

Commenting at the end of the campaign Rachel said “I am completely overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity and support people have shown to me. Everywhere I go people are stopping me in the street and giving me every encouragement to achieve my Olympic goal. I cannot thank enough the individuals and organisations who have got behind this campaign and so quickly”.

Rachel added “Thank you is almost too inadequate to express what I would like to say to everyone who has donated. Beyond my Olympic goal, I want to inspire people to believe that whatever challenges life throws at you – you can achieve your dreams. I want to share that message both in and around my home town and beyond”.

Thank you for donating and please follow Rachel’s progress at the Paralympics in September.

 

 

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