£1.5m Thatcham mobility factory opened by Paralympian
Para-cycling silver medalist, Ms Darke, officially opened the new Gowrings Mobility factory, which is located at Daytona Drive, Thatcham.
Also on the day, nine pupils from Brookfields School in Tilehurst were invited to visit the new factory to meet Ms Darke and have a go at hand cycling.
The pupils, all of whom have special educational needs, were able to see, touch and even wear Ms Darke's silver medal and asked her lots of questions about her achievements.
She said: "I strongly believe personal mobility is really important so to be working with Gowrings Mobility is a great honour.
"I’m looking forward to seeing what goes into the manufacture of these specially converted cars and to meet the people involved in making them.
"I am especially looking forward to meeting some customers and hearing how their vehicles have improved their lives.
"It’s also going to be good to see an example of one of the early models produced, a Mini Clubman from the 1970s.”
She added: "I really enjoyed meeting some of the Gowrings Mobility customers, and learning about how their vehicles have improved their lives.
"I strongly believe that personal mobility is really important so to be working with Gowrings Mobility this year is a great honour."
Gowrings Mobility’s director of sales and marketing, Janet Seward, said: "We are delighted to be working with such a remarkable woman.
"Our customers are extraordinary people and our relationship with Karen, who is such an extraordinary athlete and adventurer, will excite and inspire our customers."