Meet Paralympic skier Kelly Gallagher MBE

As part of our popular ‘Meet the Paralympian’ series, we hosted a free online talk for schools and home educated children with guest speaker Kelly Gallagher MBE. This special event marked the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics, just 9 days before the 2026 Winter Games begin in Italy and a timely opportunity to introduce children to Paralympic sport.

Kelly Gallagher is a former alpine ski racer and three-time Paralympian. In this unique session, held on 25th February, she shared her transitional journey from childhood daredevil to an elite winter athlete and role model.

Kelly, who has oculocutaneous albinism which limits her sight, first competed at the Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver in 2010, skiing with her sighted guide Claire Robb. Pupils learnt how athletes and guides work as a team, how they communicate clearly while skiing at speeds of up to 110kph, and why trust, teamwork and resilience are so important both in sport and in everyday life.

Kelly talked about the challenges she faced along the way, including injury and personal loss, and how she kept going even when things felt difficult. Her hard work and determination led to a historic moment at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, where she became Britain’s first ever Winter Paralympic gold medallist, with her guide Charlotte Evans. Kelly competed in three Paralympic Games, the last being Pyeongchang in 2018 along with her guide Gary Smith.

Throughout the session, Kelly shared the message that anything is possible, encouraging children to believe in themselves and try new things.

With thanks to:

This event is made possible by the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, delivered by the Museums Association.

With additional thanks to our corporate sponsor Wendover Wood.

https://www.wendoverwood.com/