Lexi Chambers to embark on fundraising journey to deliver the match whistle for Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025

Five-time world record holder and ChildFund Rugby Ambassador, Lexi Chambers, will undertake an extraordinary challenge ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 attempting ten ultramarathons in ten days using a non-sport wheelchair as she delivers the official match whistle for the opening game.

On Sunday 10 August Lexi embarked on her sixth world record bid where she is targeting travelling over 322 miles starting from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham ending in Sunderland’s Stadium of Light at the opening game of the tournament.

Her challenge, Race to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, is a powerful message of resilience and determination and is set to be her boldest challenge yet. Lexi has fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome, with the latter resulting in her leg being amputated. Despite living with multiple chronic pain conditions, Lexi continues to break boundaries and inspire others to reach for their goals, no matter the challenges they may face. Along the way, she will visit local grassroots rugby clubs and communities, celebrating the inclusive spirit of the game.

As a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, Lexi is using her journey to raise funds and awareness for ChildFund Rugby, World Rugby’s global Social Impact Partner for the tournament. Together, they aim to reach 500,000 young people by 2030, using rugby-based programmes to promote leadership, gender equity, and life skills around the world.

The journey officially began in June 2025, when legendary adventurer and fellow ChildFund Rugby Ambassador Ron Rutland symbolically passed the torch to Lexi following his own gruelling challenge for Rugby World Cup 2023, cycling an extraordinary 22,000km from Eden Park in Auckland to the Stade de France in Paris to deliver the opening match whistle.

Ahead of the launch day, Lexi Chambers commented: "It's quite overwhelming for a huge women's rugby fan to have the opportunity to deliver the whistle for the opening of Rugby World Cup 2025. There couldn't be a bigger honour.

"I am also very excited at having the opportunity to start a new world record, one nobody has yet completed - 10 ultramarathons in 10 days. An ultra marathon is anything over a marathon distance. The general accepted distance is about 50km (31 miles), so I'm actually going to be doing just over 50km every single day.”

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said “This is an incredible moment of anticipation as we count down to a tournament that will showcase the very best of women’s rugby, its passion, power, and purpose. Lexi is marking the beginning of a very special kind of journey, one that captures the true spirit of this Women’s Rugby World Cup.

“Her sixth world record is not powered by elite equipment, but by extraordinary courage and relentless determination, a remarkable feat and a powerful testament to her resilience.

“We are proud to stand alongside Lexi and ChildFund Rugby as they champion the power of sport to change lives.”

ChildFund Rugby Co-Director, Meg Knight, shared that “ChildFund Rugby partners from across the world are cheering Lexi on. This incredible feat will support a lasting social impact legacy for girls and women around the world - all powered by rugby.”

As the world turns its eyes to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Lexi is showing what’s possible when sport is used not just to compete, but to connect, inspire, and create lasting change. You can follow Lexi’s journey at @ChildFund Rugby and @RugbyWorldCup, and  donate to the cause here.