In April 2012, Claire Lomas ran the Virgin London Marathon in 17 days. She raised £210,000 for Spinal Research. She made the record books for being the first paraplegic to complete a marathon on her own two legs. She used a pioneering ‘ReWalk’ suit, giving her the nickname the bionic woman. She won the prestigious Virgin Trophy in recognition for pushing the boundaries of normal human limitations.
In April 2013 after a year of training, she is embarking on her second challenge. Claire is cycling 400 miles from Nottingham to London visiting schools and communities along her route to inspire children and help people recognize that what ever happens in life good can always come from it.
Claire has dedicated her cycle to Catherine Kouam, a friend who passed away in August 2012 due to complications arrising from a similar injury to Claire's.
Following a riding accident at the 2007 Osberton Horse Trials, Nottinghamshire, Claire lost the use of her body from the chest down. Faced with adveristy, Claire no doubt had her dark moments but her determination shone through and 5 years after her accident Claire, with the aide of a bionic 'ReWalk' suit, completed the 26.2 mile Londoan marathon course, raising not only money but awareness of spinal injuries and equally as imporant, inspiring people all over the world.
"With my injury I feel quite fortunate, I can still use my arms", this optimism has kept her moving, this time on a hand bike. Claire leaves Nottingham Trent University on Monday 22nd April and takes the following route:
22 April - Nottingham - Loughborough
23 April - Barrow upon Soar - Leicester
24 April - Leicester - Oakham
25 April - Stamford - Peterborough
26 April - Peterborough
27 April - Peterborough - Ramsey
28 April - Huntingdon - Cambridge
29 April - Letchworth - Shefford - Biggleswade
30 April - Hitchin - Haprenden - Hertford
1 May - Tring - King's Langley - Chorleywood
2 May - Aylesbury - Leyton Buzzard - Oxford
3 May - Didcot - Wantage - Kempsford
4 May - Wanborough - Marlborough
5 May - Salisbury Racecourse
6 May - Amesbury - Wilton - Codford
7 May - Basingstoke - Farnham
8 May - Hook - Camberley - Woking
9 May - Bracknell - Taplow - Beaconsfield
10 May - Windsor - Ascot - Staines upon Thames
11 May - Hampton - Weybridge - Bookham
12 May - Kingston upon Thames - Richamond - Putney
13 May - Kensington & Chelsea - Westminster
For more information on Claire Lomas, what she has been through and what she is doing about it, visit her website; Get-Claire-Walking.co.uk. To donate, see the fundraising section immediately below.
Fundraising
Spinal Research
Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity funding medical research around the world to develop reliable treatments for paralysis caused by a broken back or neck.
The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation
There are over 2.5 million people worldwide living with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. Around 130,000 people every year join them. David was determined to do everything he could to see his son, and others living with spinal injury, walk again. Therefore he set up NSIF.
The charity is focused on raising money in order to fund innovative medical research, that we all hope will lead to a repair and cure for spinal cord injury.
To support Claire Lomas and donate towards research into Spinal cord research follow this Just Giving link. Or text LEGS60 £3 to 70070 through Vodafone Just-Text-Giving.
More from
Cycling
category
