Britain's Most Inspiring Fundraiser Nominee
Finalist - Clare Forbes
Nominated by: Everhardus Verboort, step father
Charity:The Douglas Bader Foundation
Reason for nomination:
"She is an inspiration to others, she has won numerous trophies and awards for being Inspirational and an Achiever. Her aim was to raise 1 million £s by the time she is 25, as her eyesight is deteriorating, and was told she will be partially sighted by then."
Actions:
In March 2001, Clare caught Meningitis (B) meningococcal with septicemia. She was in a coma for 6 months, whilst in the coma she had a massive stroke, brain hemorrhage, and had both legs amputated below the knee.
In October 2003, Clare was told that she would never walk again. On 17 April 2005, she walked the Flora London Marathon in 19 hours 10 minutes. In November 2005 she walked the ING New York City Marathon in 12 hours 17 minutes. She was the first female double amputee to walk the London Marathon, raising over £20,000 for charity. Her consultant told her not to walk competitively for 12 months afer New York as she damaged her stumps, so to continue raising money for charity, decided to free fall out of planes instead.
In 2008 Clare has walked over 27 different charity events, raising money. So far this year Clare took part in Hike CUBA, covering 92kms in five days, over very hilly terrain. It was the hardest thing she ever done, it definitely was a challenge. On 6th April this year we did the Dunsfold 10km, in deep snow. On 13th April she is abseiling down Crawley Hospital and she is scared of heights. Followed by another abseil down a hotel at Gatwick 2 wks later.
So far this year we are entered in The Great North Run, The Great South Run, The Great Capital run, The Great London Run, the Festival of Running at Wimbledon, plus numerous others. She has raised approx £80,000 for different charities,
