Ski Race Anna's Blog: Paralysed Eventer Finishes Walking the London Marathon for Spinal Research!

Ski Race Anna's Blog: Paralysed Eventer Finishes Walking the London Marathon for Spinal Research!

Paralysed Eventer Finishes Walking the London Marathon for Spinal Research!

Latest update: Claire has just finished! 16 days after starting the marathon with thousands of racers, Claire Lomas has made it, on crutches and robotic suit. Well done!

Thank you to everybody who has supported Claire’s courageous journey; thank you, well done and stick at it Claire!

Please support Claire on http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Lomas - every donation helps!

Visit www.get-claire-walking.co.uk for more info and updates and follow her on twitter @claire80lomas

Even the incessant April showers cannot stop Claire Lomas, spinally injured eventer, on her quest to walk the London Marathon and raise funds for Spinal Research. Claire became paralysed from the chest down (T4) in 2007 as the result of a horse riding accident but this hasn't stopped her.

Claire uses a robotic suit, which enables her to stand up and walk. This intrepid woman has gone from taking her first steps since the accident only three months ago, to attempting the marathon! It has taken her nine days to cover the first 15 grueling miles and she is still smiling.

Claire has already raised over £86,000 for Spinal Research!

My husband and I had the pleasure of covering some of the ground with Claire on Monday as she crossed Wapping. I strapped my legs into calipers and tried to keep up with Claire but was soon exhausted, not to mention nervous, walking outdoors on an uneven surface, amidst London’s hustle and bustle. I could only manage 50 yards (the furthest I’ve ever walked outdoors).

To see video click here: http://youtu.be/O8gOkV9jEtE

Apparently overtaking me made Claire’s day, which made the drive from Warwick well worth it. We loved meeting Claire and offering moral support. Attempting to walk alongside Claire brought home quite how tough her challenge really is.

This is a physically and mentally demanding mission. Using crutches, Claire has to take a lot of pressure through her shoulders, arms and hands. On the first day she covered an exhausting 2.25 miles; imagine being in her (robot) shoes and contemplating the remaining 24 miles, knowing that most of the other competitors had finished and gone home!

Claire said “During my time in hospital I saw many people who had had their lives turned upside down - some who are unable to breath without the use of a ventilator. I have been very lucky to have a lot of support from family and friends helping me deal with this catastrophic injury- some don't have this support.

“Spinal cord injuries doesn't just mean you can't walk any more, but can also effect sensation, bowel and bladder function, circulation, temperature regulation, sexual function, bone density… A spinal injury can happen to anyone at anytime in a split second - a cure must be found!”

Claire is doing a brilliant job raising money and awareness of Spinal Cord Injury, which affects the lives of millions everyday. Claire is a hugely determined and gutsy woman, undertaking a remarkable feat for a great cause.

In quite an uncharacteristic way, much of the London traffic stopped to donate and find out more, including the London Fire Service who even posed for some photos!

Best Results Yet in Preparation for 2014 Sochi Paralympics

9th in the World and 4th in Europe is a nice way to finish my 4th season! I won 10 medals overall in Europe this year.

The team has been working with new coaches from Canada, Rip Pridday and Sue Greenberg and I've made huge progress, particularly in Super G.

"It is great to see how comfortable Anna is at speed... We're impressed and definitely see her as a medal contender for Sochi 2014"
Sue Greenberg, GB coach.

I took Silver and Bronze medals in the Europa Cup Finals in Auron, France in Super G and finished closer than ever before behind the World Champion in Giant Slalom, winning bronze.

Great Britain finished 8th in the 2012 European Rankings.

The best thing about this season was qualifying for World Cups in Super G, Downhill and Super Combined! My World Ranking is now 9th in Super G.


My good results are thanks to hard work with the new coaches and great training in Serre Chevalier, France, where I'm supported by the Hotel Plein Sud.

It has certainly been my most successful and enjoyable season yet! I'll be training hard this summer in preparation for racing in next year's World Cup Circuit, and aiming to qualify for the 2014 Sochi Paralympics.

Excellent Training in Serre Chevalier

I am currently preparing for the Europa Cup finals which is to be held the last week of March in Auron, France.

We have good conditions and training with Serre Chevalier Alpine Race Club, one of the top clubs in France, is fantastic! The youth racers are a great inspiration and I can already see my progress.

A huge thank you to the Hotel Plein Sud for sponsoring me, staying there is perfect and their support is hugely appreciated. I love training in Serre Chevalier!

Click on title to go to the Plein Sud website.

Rose and Crown raises £1300 for Anna's Paralympic Ski Equipment

The Rose and Crown is ace, I can't believe we raised £1300 towards my new monoski, we are nearly a third the way towards raising the £4500 it costs.

Last weekend's Fundraising Sunday Roast was a huge success. Thanks so much to Jez, Jonathon and the Rose team, and to everyone who came including Warwick's mayor, Trudy...

local MP Chris White

Jackie and Bryan from Advocacy Matters Charity (for whom I'm proud to be patron)

and friends and family who came from as far away as Brighton!
I really appreciate your support, without which I wouldn't have won the medals or raced in the Paralympics. The new monoski will really help my skiing and I cannot wait to order it, only just over £3000 more needed...!

The Rose chef made a beautiful Valentine's cake to raffle, and great prizes were generously donated for the silent auction including a flight over Warwick in a two seater plane, Warwick Castle tickets and Spanish lunch at Catalan.

Everyone had a ski hat to wear for Jez and Jonathon's games...

and Auntie Norma won a Diva Hair Voucher (thanks Diva!)





The Rose's renowned Roast dinner was enjoyed by all!

Manager Jez and Chris White talked about the fundraising plans with the Rose and making connections with companies and people in Warwick. I talked about my path to gold in the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics and how sponsors and support from friends and family have helped me achieve great results so far.

Good food and drink was followed with a fab performance from the band, a huge thank you to all involved!

First Live TV Interview!

My husband and I featured on ITV's Lorraine Show yesterday!!!

Being live on National TV was exciting and Pete represented Serre Chevalier, France, where I train but I didn't get a chance to mention recent medals I've won or my website. So much to say, so little time!

ITV's Daybreak also wanted us but that'll be another day. This week I also featured on Channel 5 News, filmed at my sponsors Solihull David Lloyd gym - click on title to watch it as well as articles in the Daily Mail, Birmingham Mail, Coventry Telegrapgh, Stratford Herald and Warwick Courier!



I'm hoping the publicity will attract interest. My hard work training has payed off with great results (7 medals in Europe and World Cups qualification so far this year). Sadly I can't afford to race in World Cups as I get no funding and have to raise the annual £20,000 myself to continue representing GB.

I do Motivational Speaking and Workshops as well as youth work and talks in schools. If you are interested in sponsorship or speaking opportunities, please contact me through www.annaturney.com

The Rose and Crown helps fundraise for Warwick’s local Paralympic Ski Racer

The Rose and Crown is putting on a Fundraising Sunday Roast on 12th February to help cover the cost of Anna’s training and racing which amounts to approximately £20,000 per year as well as trying to fund a new monoski costing over £4000.

So far this season, Anna has won four Europa Cup bronze medals, competing in Slalom and Giant Slalom. She recently became qualified to compete in World Cups (the highest level). Due to lack of funding, she won't compete in World Cups this year but will train in France instead and compete in the Europa Cup Finals in March.

So join us for a dinner to help raise funds to support Anna!

Ticket Only.
£20 a ticket, for Sunday Roast and Pudding. Speak to Jonathan or Angela to book: 01926 411117
See http://www.roseandcrownwarwick.co.uk/NewsEvents.asp for more info.

Or to make a donation, go to http://annaturney.com/annaFundraising.htm