New five-race fundraising challenge to start in memory of Claire Lomas
Fundraising in memory of Claire Lomas continues this weekend in a bid to continue her remarkable legacy.
Claire dedicated her life to raising money for spinal injury research after she was left paralysed from the chest down following a horse riding accident in 2007.
She raised more than £950k from an amazing series of fundraisers, including completing the London Marathon walking in a robotic suit.
Claire, who lived with her family at Eye Kettleby, tragically passed away in August 2024 but her husband, Dan Pincer, and friend Stuart Hall, were determined to push her total raised over £1M.
They achieved that milestone on an emotional day last October after completing the 10-mile Great South Run, at Portsmouth, in wheelchairs.
Afterwards, Stuart, who is affectionately known as Pid, told the Melton Times: "£1M was the target but we’re not going to stop – it’s all about keeping Claire’s name and her inspiration alive.”
And he was true to his word with another set of running and wheelchair events lined up this year, starting on Sunday with the Bristol 10k, were the duo will take part in wheelchairs.
They are also entered in the Great North Run (13 miles) at Newcastle on September 13 and the Great South Run (10 miles) on October 18.
The duo will compete in wheelchairs in both of those events but they will also run the 5km races held before each of the main races.
Other fundraising activities are being held this year, with proceeds going to Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation (NSIF), Whizz-Kidz and LOROS Hospice, which all meant a lot to Claire.
A recent online auction, with tickets to equestrian, cricket and golf events, plus other prizes, raised a further £1,630.
The Claire Lomas Memorial Rideout has been organised for September 6 and another online auction is being planned with prizes of signed memorabilia, including a Team GB bib donated by Melton’s Winter Olympics star, Amelia Coltman.
Go to www.claireschallenge.co.uk to find out more about the legacy of Claire Lomas, the upcoming fundraising activities and to donate to the charities which were close to her heart.