Claire Lomas to light Paralympic celebration cauldron
Claire Lomas is to light a celebration cauldron in Trafalgar Square at 8am tomorrow morning (Friday 24 August) for the Paralympic Games.
Former eventer Claire was paralysed from the chest down in an accident in 2007 at Osberton Horse Trials.
Claire hit headlines earlier this year when she completed the London Marathon in a “robot suit”. It took her 16 days and she raised more than £200,000 for Spinal Research.
The cauldron will be lit using the English National Flame which was created at Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak, by Scouts striking a ferrocerium rod against a rough steel surface to create sparks.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Only two weeks ago we showed the world what we’re made of by hosting a tremendous Olympic Games and finishing with the highest ranking in the medals table for more than 100 years. Next week we will do it all again when the Paralympic Games come home to the UK.
“The lighting of the cauldron tomorrow marks the beginning of what I am sure will be a fantastic showcase for the UK and I hope the Games inspire many other young people – disabled and non-disabled alike – to choose sport and aim to be the very best that they can be.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.