Charity challenge will honour 'bionic woman'

Stuart Hall said he and Claire had completed fundraising challenges together

The husband and best friend of campaigner Claire Lomas, who raised nearly £1m for charity, are to take on the last of three running challenges in wheelchairs to raise money in her memory on Sunday.

Claire Lomas, from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, began fundraising after a 2007 horse accident left her paralysed, with her efforts including completing the 2012 London Marathon in a robotic suit.

She died five weeks after a microlight crash in Jordan in 2024.

Her husband, Dan Spincer, and best friend Stuart Hall are now set to participate in the Great South Run, in Portsmouth, as part of an attempt to ensure her fundraising legacy reaches the £1m mark.

The 10-mile run will be the last event the pair will do as part of the Three Spokes Challenge which consists of the Great Manchester Run, the Great North Run and the Great South Run.

Claire Lomas began fundraising efforts in 2007

Mr Spincer and Mr Hall will be joined by Claire's family and friends, with Ms Lomas' daughters also taking part in the Junior and Mini Great South Run on Saturday.

"Claire was my inspiration for many things but most of all she was my best friend," said Mr Hall.

"We did so many things together including all her fundraising events and she made such a huge difference to so many lives.

"I just feel it is right that I carry on with this fundraising as it's my way of saying thank you for letting me share her life.

"Usually, Claire has been by my side, but she will be riding in my heart forever now."

Before her death, Claire raised more than £952,000 for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, a charity which hopes one day to help find a way to reverse spinal injuries.

Mr Hall previously said he and Mr Spincer sat out in Jordan on the day Ms Lomas died, and vowed to get a £1m legacy for her.

"Claire raised money for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation,... so we want to carry on raising money for the same charity and hopefully see the cure, which is what Claire wanted, that was always her dream," said Mr Spincer.