Thousands have been raised for Newbury local Ms Rachael Elliott, 45, a national champion cyclist, to get to the 2024 Paris Paralympics after losing 90% of her sight.

After being set up only a week prior, a GoFundMe page created by Ms Elliott’s partner Mr Glen Knight has already received 105 donations, amounting to a staggering £4,610.

Ms Elliott competed in time trials for Newbury Road Club and was quickly spotted by the Drag2Zero race team who invited her to join them.

This was the beginning of an astonishing period of wins for Ms Elliott, who broke the national 30-mile record in 2017, and a few months later won the national closed-circuit championships.

But in early 2018 just before her 40th Birthday, she suffered a haemorrhagic stroke whilst training on her bike. “I couldn’t see properly at all and lost ability in my left side to walk,” she said.

She was quickly rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital where she was told by doctors that she had a 10/15 percent survival rate.

Ms Elliott can now see about 5% of her surroundings and has no vision at all in her left eye.

Her partner Mr Knight, whom she had only met a few months prior, installed bike pedals under her hospital bed so she could still train, which in turn helped her recovery.

She initially turned down the offer from British Cycling to compete in para-cycling, but after friend Ian Greenstreet had a go with her on a tandem bike, she realised her competing days weren’t over just yet.

Ms Elliott now holds all the national records for speed from 15 to 50 miles. Her last competition was just three weeks ago where she won the time trial by nine minutes.

“A dream at the back of my mind was going to the Paralympics,” she said.

British Cycling invited Ms Elliott to a talent day to test her potential and told her that her power was higher than anything they had ever seen.

They told her they could fund her to try out for the 2028 Paralympics but wouldn’t be able to secure funding for Paris 2024.

However, they did tell her that she would be able to compete at the Rio World Championships and possibly next year's Olympics if she attended the selection process and beat everyone on the squad.

With no funding available, Ms Elliott must raise £30,000 for the trial. The cost includes expensing the tandem bikes, velodrome sessions, and airfares for her and her pilot Miriam Jessett.

Ms Elliott and Mr Knight also run their own “inclusive to all” Newbury Velo Cycling Club. They work with Berkshire Vision's members, including visually impaired children, the opportunity to ride.

To donate to Ms Elliott’s fund, please visit: Fundraiser for Rachael Elliott by Glen Knight : Gold medal dream (gofundme.com)