A horse riding accident in 2007 might have left her paralysed from the chest down, but that hasn’t stopped Claire Lomas from raising more than £650,000 for charity.

Since her accident, the 38-year-old former event rider has completed marathons and cycle rides and her latest venture is to ride a lap of the Isle of Man TT course in August, despite the fact that before her accident she had never even sat on a motorbike.

’I just asked on Twitter if I could have a go on a motorbike,’ she said.

’I like to take opportunities when I can, despite being paralysed from the chest down and knowing nothing at all about motorbikes.’

Her bike, a Suzuki SV650, has a left hand operated gear change, toe clips to keep her feet in position and velcro to keep her knees in place.

’I had to use stabilisers when I started and setting off was pretty terrifying. I did have a few falls but now I use helpers or "launchers" and "catchers2 to set off and stop. No stabilisers,’ she said.

She doesn’t have a road licence for the bike but she has now gained her ACU (the body that governs motorcycle sport) licence. This qualifies her to take part in track days which usually require either a standard driving licence or an ACU licence.

’It was hard and I gradually got better and better until I got the licence last year. I did my first track day at Donington Park a few days ago and I have also ridden at Rockingham circuit.’

Both tracks are quite near to her home in Melton Mowbray.

’I just did half a day at Donington. My paralysis means I have no core strength. My stomach and back muscles are weak so I have to build up a lot of strength in my arms,’ she said.

Though she has ridden a horse since her accident, she says it no longer gives her a buzz because she can’t ride in the way she used to.

’I used to do cross-country eventing but I can’t ride at that level any more,’ she said

But riding a motorbike gives her the same thrill now which she likens to skiing.

Her introduction to motorcycling came through a charity called The Bike Experience, which helps people with injuries get back on a motorcycle.

’The others were all people who had ridden before,’ she said.

’For me it was a bit different because I had never been on a bike before. I really knew nothing but my confidence has grown and I’m enjoying it more and more.

She added she was grateful to her really good helpers, her husband Dan and her father, who has a Ducati.

’It’s red,’ she said

’But I’ve no idea what the model is.’

As for the TT course preparations, she has already been to the island and toured round the course in the car. She also met members of the Manx Motor Cycle Club who organise the Manx Grand Prix, during which her lap will take place, all being well, on closed roads between races on Wednesday August 29.

’I’ve spent time watching laps on the television and on You Tube and apart from that it’s a question of getting on the bike as often as possible to practise and build up body strength,’ she said

Her plan is to be accompanied on the lap, perhaps by her father, who can watch to ensure all is well. Ideally the two will be in radio contact during the ride.

One challenge, she says, will be working on her strength and stamina, the other will be staying in position on the bike, particularly in some of the very bumpy sections of the course.

She also wants to practise low-speed manoeuvring to tackle sections such as Ramsey Hairpin and Governor’s Dip.

As a day job, she works as a motivational speaker, and will be going soon on a work trip to Portugal.

’In my motivational talks I tell people, ’’whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right’’,’ she said, and she obviously follows her own advice.

As well as looking after her two daughters, Chloe, one, and seven-year-old Maisie, she has managed to keep to a challenging fundraising schedule.

In 2012, she completed the London Marathon in 17 days, using a special body suit that allowed her to walk the course, making worldwide headlines in the process.

She was the first (and only) paralysed person to walk the London Marathon, using the pioneering robotic suit, raising £210,000 for spinal research. She was accompanied on the walk by her husband, Dan, who walked behind her to ensure she didn’t topple over backwards.

She was then invited to light the Paralympic cauldron in Trafalgar Square.

In 2014, she raised over £75,000 by organising events, making charity collections, from sales of her book, school visits and an online auction. In 2015 her total fundraising efforts topped the half million mark and the running total now exceeds £650,000.

Last year, she completed the Manchester Marathon, slashing her time to nine days. She is a regular cyclist, using a hand cycle, and in 2013 she covered 400 miles around the UK, stopping off at two schools each day, en route, to talk to the children. This venture raised a further £85,000.

She has also done cycling challenges using equipment that stimulates her leg muscles electronically, allowing her to pedal.

’Walking and cycling in that way is still very tiring,’ she said.

’Because you are still using your muscles and burning energy.’

For her Isle of Man TT lap venture, she says she wants to raise as much money as possible.

’I don’t really have a specific target in mind,’ she said

’But I would certainly like to involve some corporate sponsors if I can. I am really appealing for as many people and companies as possible to get involved and support this.’

All money raised will be divided between three charities: the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, the Matt Hampson Foundation and the Bike Experience.

All three charities give help and support to people who have suffered injury. The Matt Hampson charity focuses on sports injuries, while the Nicholls Foundation dedicates its resources to finding treatments for spinal injuries.

Researchers at the Nicholls Foundation, carrying out research into treatments for spinal injury reported recently that they had recorded the first ever example of long spinal nerves being reconnected.

To support Claire, you can go to her Just Giving page on the internet or find a link on her own web page at www.claireschallenge.co.uk