Claire Wins Top Disabled Sport Accolade

Claire Lomas, who completed the Great North Run over five days last year, has been named Disabled Sports Person of the Year at the Pride of Sports Awards.

Claire, who is paralysed from the waist down, completed the Great North Run in 2016 and the Great South Run in October 2017, wearing a bionic suit.  Aided by a set of crutches and the support of her husband, Claire moved in the Rewalk suit by using its motion sensors and tilting her pelvis, even though the equipment can be very difficult to use without the additional aids.

While taking on these challenges, Claire has managed to raise more than £600,000 for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation since she was paralysed 10 years ago.

Claire commented: “Completing the Simplyhealth Great North Run is one of the things I never thought would be possible when I first had my accident and I hope that others see my story and decide they can give things a go.  No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch!

“If I can help one person then it’s a brilliant feeling.  I feel in a fortunate position to be able to do that.”