Claire Lomas MBE, the former eventing rider who was paralysed from the waist down following a riding accident at Osberton Horse Trials in 2007, has died following an accident in Jordan on August 22nd.
Despite the injuries incurred during her life-changing accident in 2007, Claire went on to achieve more than most able-bodied people would do in a lifetime and, although admitting to dark times, focussed on new experiences and raising funds for Spinal Research.
“Without doubt it (the accident) changed my life and there were some hard times, but I got through them and it has led me on to things that I would never have done. So, in a way it’s not a sad thing to me because I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done since” said Claire at Osberton International Horse Trials in 2021, when she returned to speak at a charity lunch (watch Claire’s talk at Osberton here)
The 44-year-old mother of two was a well-known and inspirational speaker, raising over £1 million for charities such as Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation (NSIF). In 2012, she became the first paralysed person to complete the London Marathon using a robotic suit, raising £220,000 for the NSIF and was invited to light the cauldron for the 2012 Paralympic Games.
She continued to live life to the full, becoming a pilot and learning to ride high speed motorcycle among her many achievements and was awarded the MBE in 2017. She posted on her social media on July 15th that “I am about to do one of my most daunting challenges to date”.
Claire is survived by her parents Martin and Joyce, husband Dan, and their two young daughters, Maisie and Chloe. The family has asked for privacy at this time but advised that a funeral will be held at St Mary's Church, in Melton Mowbray, with the date yet to be confirmed.
