Paralysed Marathon heroine Claire Lomas: 'Things go wrong in life but you have to fight back, get out there and make your own luck.'
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Five years ago, 32-year-old Claire Lomas was paralysed when her spine was dislocated in a horse riding accident.
She was told she would never walk again but this year,ray ban wayfarer, after months of gruelling physiotherapy, she completed the London marathon in 16 days wearing a bionic suitand raising ?200,Mulberry handbags,000 for charity in the process.
Not one to stop at just one challenge,cheap ghd straighteners, Claire then set about taking on a 400 mile hand cycle ride across the UK.
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Starting in Nottingham, her journey took her 22 days and she crossed the finishing line in London on Monday.
Speaking on about her remarkable achievement,ghd sale, she said: 'It's a real relief to finish it but I am really happy with how it's all gone,ray ban.
'I've raised around ?80,ghd hair straighteners,000 so far by using Vodafone's Just Giving text service so I'm really pleased and that's what spurred me on through the tough times.'
Speaking about her toughest challenge yet, the inspirational athlete said: 'It was tough,ghd sale, I got a cold as well just to add to it so there were days when I just didn't feel like going out there and it was actually tougher than doing the marathon.'
Claire used the challenge to increase awareness of spinal injuries by cycling to schools, universities and workplaces in over a dozen different counties to give educational and motivational talks.
'I was fitting in school talks along the way and that was just brilliant. Seeing some of those children's faces is what kept me going as well.
'When I was in hospital there were lots of people worse off than me,ray ban 3025,. I have had amazing support since my accident but not everyone has got that so we need to find a cure for paralysis.'
She has drawn in a wealth of celebrity support for her endeavours.
Speaking about her achievement, Gary Lineker said: 'Quite emotional I think really, when you consider what an achievement it is, you know 22 days hand cycling,, truly inspiring, she is a remarkable lady.'
Former Spice Girl Mel C added: 'I will support that women in anything she does, she has got my full support.'
Claire is looking forward to getting back to normal life at home now with her two-year-old daughter Maisie and husband Dan, but is keen to spread her message to the masses.
She said: ''I had to rebuild my life and that's the story I have been giving to the children.
'Sometimes,ghd sale, things go wrong in life and at the time it felt like the end of the world to me and I really felt like every door was slammed in my face and it was difficult and it was tough.
'But I give my message out to the kids that you've got to fight back and you get out there and make your own luck.
'If I'd sat there and dwelled on everything I'd lost,ray ban sale, I wouldn't have had the best days of my life after my accident so you've just got to keep going when things are tough.'
Paraplegic fundraiser Claire Lomas finishes her 400 mile hand bike challenge at the London Eye. She has raised over ?80,000 through Vodafone's JustTextGiving service during the 3-week cycling endeavour. Anyone wishing to donate can text LEGS60 ?3 to 70070