Wheelchair run challenge in memory of campaigner

Claire Lomas took park in the Great North Run wearing a "bionic" suit in 2016

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

Claire Lomas, known for completing the 2012 London Marathon in a robotic suit, died following an accident in Jordan in the Middle East last year.

Claire's husband Dan Lomas and best friend Stuart Hall took part in Sunday's Great North Run as part of their efforts to ensure her fundraising legacy reaches the £1m mark.

Dan said: "We've done the Manchester 10k, we've got the Great North Run, and in October, we've got the Great South Run to do - all in wheelchairs. It'll be emotional... not having her there."

The Great South Run will be Stuart and Dan's final challenge on 19 October

Ms Lomas, from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, started raising money for charity after she broke her neck, back and ribs and punctured a lung when her horse threw her off as she took part in the Osberton Horse Trials in Nottinghamshire in 2007.

Since her injury, she has taken part in a number of fundraising charity challenges, raising money for Spinal Research.

Speaking to the BBC in a pre-recorded film that formed part of the broadcaster's coverage of the Great North Run on Sunday, Stuart and Dan reflected on Ms Lomas's achievements.

Stuart said: "Me and Dan sat out in Jordan on the day that we lost her, and we vowed to get a million-pound legacy for Claire, and this is one of the events that we're doing towards that now.

"It's going to be an emotional day because it's all memories, but to do it in a chair -but with Claire in here [taps heart], rather than by the side of us really.

"It's still very tough, and I think I cry most days over something, but it'll be happy memories now instead of sad ones."

Ms Lomas was appointed an MBE in 2017 for her fundraising efforts

Dan said: "She would always make the challenges as hard as possible.

"Some of them, she didn't know herself if she'd be able to complete them.

"It's very strange on the Great North Run because the hills are a nightmare for us and everyone says 'well, you get the downhill', but it's so busy, we're forever braking.

"If Claire was with us, she'd just shout 'we're coming through', but we can't get away with that."

Stuart said: "A lot of people have said to me that it's great that we're keeping Claire's memory alive and I think that is important.

"I think in 10 years' time, I want people to still know Claire's name, what she had done and how she affected so many people's lives."

Dan said: "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.

"I always have in the back of my mind, Claire used to say as a motivational speaker she wasn't always motivated, especially in the early days.

"That was the hard thing for us, having a reason to get out of bed.

"So, I have that in the back of my mind when training.

"It doesn't matter how tough it gets out there, we just keep doing that."