Two remarkable friends from Surrey are taking on one of Britain’s most iconic long-distance routes, but with a difference.
Wheelchair user Lottie Chatfield is attempting to wheel the entire length of the River Thames, accompanied by her friend Megan Clark who is walking alongside, not physically helping, but to provide encouragement, post on their social channels and keep her spirits up as well as tasty bakes. Megan is a professional baker.
Now at the halfway point, the pair are continuing their challenge with their Thames Path passports being stamped as they go, documenting their incredible journey from start to finish.
Instagram rollingontheriver_2026
But what might look on paper like a long-distance flat challenge has proved to be something altogether more demanding.
For Lottie, every mile can bring another physical barrier, from kissing gates and narrow paths to rough terrain, steep sections and numerous flights of steps.
On some sections, her wheelchair simply cannot pass – Lottie has been forced to remove the wheels from her chair and negotiate steps by manoeuvring herself up and down on her bottom, before hauling the heavy wheelchair and then putting the wheelchair back together and continuing.
It is a gruelling test of physical endurance and, perhaps even more importantly, strength of mind.
And it is providing a powerful demonstration of just how difficult accessing some of Britain’s most popular walking routes can be for people who use wheelchairs.
The next chapter of their challenge begins on 31st August at Marlow, where the friends will once again set off along the Thames Path.
The pair are also using their challenge to raise money for causes that are close to their hearts.
And they are inviting people to join them.
Whether it is walking a section alongside them, offering encouragement or simply following their progress and making a donation, Lottie and Megan hope people will get behind their challenge and help them reach the finish line and raise funds for their charities. Lottie & Megan fundraising page
Lottie is fundraising for Rascals, the disability cricket team at Valley End Cricket Club, which she runs and coaches.
Megan is fundraising for The Little Princess Trust, and her own commitment to the challenge will culminate in a very personal gesture.
Megan has beautiful, long dark hair which she plans to have cut off during their challenge and donate to The Little Princess Trust, where it can be used to make a real-hair wig for a child who has lost their own hair through cancer or another condition.
For Lottie, this challenge is just the latest in a life dedicated to sport, community and making a difference.
She runs and coaches Rascals, Valley End Cricket Club’s disability cricket team, giving people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy and compete in the sport she loves. She plays cricket whenever she gets the opportunity including international games.
Away from cricket, Lottie gives her time to the next generation, running Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers groups.
She’s also a championship disability pickleball player.
She also takes part in weekly parkrun and carries out accessibility video reviews to help encourage more people with accessibility needs to give parkrun a try. https://www.youtube.com/@TheParkWheeler
Now, through the Thames challenge, she is once again showing what is possible, whilst highlighting the very real barriers that can stand in the way.
Lottie said: “This challenge has shown me just how much determination it can take to get from one point to another in a wheelchair. There have been some incredibly difficult sections, and sometimes you simply have to work out a way through.
”I’m incredibly lucky to have Megan with me. She isn’t there to push my chair or do it for me, she’s there as my friend, keeping me going when things get tough and making sure we still laugh along the way and a few tasty cakes.
“We’re hoping people will join us for some of the journey, cheer us on and, if they can, make a donation. We’d love this challenge to raise awareness of accessibility as well as money for two causes that mean a huge amount to both of us.”
Megan said: “I am incredibly proud of Lottie. Watching her tackle some of the obstacles on this route has really opened my eyes to how difficult it can be to navigate places that most people simply take for granted.
“My role is to be there for Lottie – to encourage her, keep her spirits up and make sure we’re enjoying the adventure together.
“And I’m looking forward to the moment we finish, not least because I’ll be losing a lot of hair! But Knowing that it will be turned into a wig for a child through The Little Princess Trust makes it completely worthwhile.”
The friends hope their challenge will ultimately be about much more than reaching the end of the Thames. They want to raise money, raise awareness and inspire more people with accessibility needs to get outside and take on their own adventures.
And, with Lottie’s determination and Megan’s unwavering friendship, they are hoping their remarkable journey will earn them a place in the record books.
The next chapter begins at Marlow on 31st August, a short 22km to Windsor.
You can follow Lottie and Megan’s Thames challenge, join them along the route and support their fundraising here: https://givewheel.com/fundraising/20151/rolling-on-the-river-taking-on-the-thames-from-sou/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaeBLq5ZJ-7Md_e60rlJkkpLyMhA5by-NdcYUcZigNqbyhqb3opjqymXOlakUw_aem_1lX6b5p-YFSaFCYZxBFvkA
