Claire Lomas, MBE, best known for completing a marathon in a "bionic" suit, has died at the age of 44 in Jordan.
Lomas, who was paralysed from the chest down since a horse-riding accident in 2007, sustained injuries including a broken neck, back, and ribs, along with a punctured lung. Despite these challenges, she became a prominent figure in fundraising, raising significant sums for charity over the years.
A former chiropractor from Eye Kettleby, near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, Lomas made headlines in 2012 when she completed the London Marathon in 17 days using a "bionic" suit. This effort alone raised substantial funds for the Spinal Research charity.
In addition to her fundraising efforts, Lomas was an accomplished motivational speaker and a qualified pilot. She was awarded an MBE in 2017 in recognition of her contributions to charity.
Lomas is known in the insurance industry for having served as the keynote speaker at Insurance Business' Women in Insurance event in 2023, where her speech was exceptionally well-received by attendees.
Her family issued a statement to the Melton Times, expressing their grief and asking for privacy during this difficult time.
Claire Lomas was widely recognised for her achievements, including completing the Great North Run while 16 weeks pregnant, the Great South Run, and the Greater Manchester Marathon. In each of these events, she used the "bionic" suit to overcome significant physical challenges, completing the Greater Manchester Marathon in 9 days, an improvement of 8 days over her previous record.
In addition to her fundraising and speaking engagements, Lomas authored two books, held a motorcycle race licence, and earned a private pilot’s licence. She is survived by her husband, Dan, whom she met a year after her accident, and their two daughters.
Insurance Business is saddened to hear of Claire's passing and sends its condolences to her friends and family.
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