Exeter-born Army veteran and former nurse Lexi Chambers has achieved her sixth world record while using a non-sport wheelchair. Her remarkable journey included 10 ultra-marathons in 10 days across a 322-mile wheeled journey across England – proving incredible endurance and resilience despite living with chronic pain conditions – all in support of ChildFund Rugby.
Today, 20 August 2025, at 5.30pm Army Veteran and Ex-Nurse Lexi Chambers was cheered in by a large crowd and given a hero’s welcome as she crossed the finishing line and successfully completed the Race to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in Seaburn.
Lexi also achieved her sixth world record. In addition, having undertaken 10 ultra-marathons in 10 days, Lexi claimed a world first for ultra-marathons (anything over a marathon distance) using any kind of wheelchair.
Lexi will deliver the official match whistle to the referee of the opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 on 21 August at the Stadium of Light. That whistle will be used for the game between England (the Red Roses) and the USA on 22 August.
For Lexi, who has fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome— with the latter resulting in her leg being amputated— the Race to the Women’s Rugby World Cup was her boldest challenge yet. She was determined to succeed with her challenge despite living with multiple chronic pain conditions.
Lexi shares on her journey that:
“It was overwhelming for a huge women’s rugby fan to be selected to be a ChildFund Rugby Ambassador to undertake the Race to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. There couldn’t be a bigger honour in continuing the Race to Rugby World Cup legacy, and I’m very pleased that I have done them proud today.
“I am also incredibly proud to have achieved my sixth world record using my non-sport, everyday wheelchair. I am actually a bit shocked that I have claimed a world-first by completing 10 ultra marathons in 10 days.
“This was incredibly challenging. There were so many hills to climb on the route and it was tough on my body, and I had to push myself to remember not to give up. Having the opportunity to connect with Pass It Back Coaches around the world across the challenge also helped me stay focused on completing my journey.”
Lexi’s story in a short video: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1NzBMK4zUv/
Lexi’s Goal – fundraising for impact
Throughout her journey, Lexi’s goal was, and continues to be, to raise funds and awareness for ChildFund Rugby and their partnerships, which use the power of rugby to deliver change around gender equity, youth leadership, and inclusion.
Funds raised by Lexi will ensure that more people, especially girls and young women who face barriers to participating in sport and leadership learning, have opportunities to play, learn, and lead through rugby.
Every kilometre Lexi wheeled was used as a call to action: to invest in young people, to challenge what’s possible, and to celebrate rugby as a platform for change.
Lexi is raising funds through JustGiving – support Lexi and her mission to inspire change!
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For media inquiries or to speak with Lexi, contact:
Vee Montebello
Mobile: +44 (0) 7872 665149
Email: veemontebello@gmail.com
About Race to Rugby World Cup
Since the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, ChildFund Rugby has worked with endurance athletes to deliver the whistle for the opening game across each Rugby World Cup. These whistle deliveries have raised funds for their work, engaged fans, and showcased the power of the global rugby community to deliver change.
About ChildFund Rugby and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
ChildFund Rugby is World Rugby’s global Social Impact Partner, a multi-year partnership committed to reaching 500,000 people worldwide by 2030. Together, World Rugby and ChildFund Rugby are harnessing the power of rugby as a vehicle for positive social change, transforming the lives of children and young people around the globe. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2025, ChildFund Rugby has built a movement powered by rugby, inspired by the values of the game.