Rolling Forward, Giving Back
At 53, Rachel Bragger is preparing to take on the 2026 London Marathon in her day-to-day wheelchair, a challenge that is as personal as it is physical.
For Rachel, this is not just about completing 26.2 miles. It is about reclaiming something that was once part of her identity, adapting to a new reality, and giving back to a charity that helped her rediscover what is still possible.
A life changed and rebuilt
Rachel’s journey into life as a wheelchair user began in 2019 following a spinal cord injury as a pillion passenger on a motorbike. Spinal surgery was delayed due to contracting Covid 19. Despite surgery, she lost the use of her right leg and has very limited feeling in her left. Adjusting later in life as a wheelchair user has brought physical, emotional and practical challenges.
Rather than step back, Rachel chose to move forward.
Finding purpose through sport again
Rachel first came across WheelPower in 2024 while looking for ways to stay active. What she discovered was more than fitness, it was possibility.
“WheelPower made me realize that you can still do sport even with a physical disability.”
As a result Rachel now volunteers to coach netball for young female players.
Taking on the Marathon again, but differently
Rachel ran the London Marathon 20 years ago. This time, she returns with a new reality.
“Why couldn’t I do the marathon?”
Training has included challenges. As a relatively new wheelchair user, dealing with cambers, tree roots and holes in our public paths has resulted in falls and injuries.
‘At the back end of last year I realized my wheelchair was just too heavy. I am now lucky to have a new bespoke, light weight wheelchair which I feel much more confident in, day to day plus for something like 26miles in one go”.
Balancing life, training and fundraising
Rachel balances training with work, family life, and fundraising.
• Midweek sessions around work
• Long weekend distances
• Supporting family commitments
• Ongoing fundraising activity
“I am managing to juggle everything.”
A deeply personal motivation
Rachel’s father supported her journey and helped fund her equipment before passing away in 2025.
“I have to complete this now for my dad.”
What race day means
“I just want to complete the distance. I’m not racing the clock at all. I just want to finish”.
A collective effort and why it matters
WheelPower is hugely grateful to Rachels friends and family supporters. Without people like Rachel, our vital work would not be possible.
Rachel’s efforts help create more opportunities, confidence and inclusion for disabled people in sport.
Please support Rachel’s fundraising
From all of us at WheelPower – thank you, Rachel.
"I was always a runner… and now I feel that rolling in my chair is my equivalent of doing my running."
