Keynote Speaker
Speaker
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Claire LomasClaire Lomas was working as a chiropractor and had reached the highest level in the sport of eventing when a freak accident left her paralysed from the chest down. She had gone from living a life as an active sportswomen whose dreams were coming true to a life that seemed impossible to ever be happy. The simplest of tasks were now a challenge for Claire. Many doors had closed, and it was difficult not to dwell on all she had lost. She had to dig deep to find the strength and courage to rebuild her life from scratch.
Claire discharged herself from hospital after only 8 weeks, determined to do as much rehabilitation as possible. She spent hours in the gym but also recognised that she needed more than this in her life.
In 2012 Claire became headline news worldwide. She walked the London Marathon in a pioneering robotic suit. It took a gruelling 17 days and raised £210k for Spinal Research. She became the first owner of a robotic suit, and used it when she had the honour of lighting the Paralympic cauldron in Trafalgar Square.
In 2013 Claire completed a 400 mile handcycle around parts of England, visiting schools on the way to inspire pupils, raising another £85k supporting the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation.
2014 and 2015 took the fundraising total to over £500k through various events Claire organised.
In 2016 Claire completed the London Vitality 10k in 12 hours, and completed the Great North Run in September whilst 16 weeks pregnant.
In October 2017 Claire’s challenge was #10in24, with the aim to walk the 10 miles of the Great South Run in 24 hours, walking through the night which she completed with a few minutes to spare! Claire was awarded an MBE and had her second daughter.
2018 saw Claire smash her marathon PB … in 9 days and start her British Superbike lap challenge.
Claire is currently learning to ride a motorbike and loves pushing the boundaries. Last year she became the first paralysed female in the UK to get her motorbike race licence – a remarkable achievement as she had never ridden a motorbike before her accident.
In 2019 Claire has many fundraising challenges including British Superbike laps.
