Clare’s story: Horses, mentoring and a skydive at 75
2 September 2026
Meet Clare:
- Lifelong horse-lover, equestrian coach and former saddle fitter
- Raised over £6,500 for Back Up by skydiving on her 75th birthday
- One of Back Up’s earliest mentors, taking part in the second ever mentor training course
Clare, 75, sustained her spinal cord injury after a horse fell on her in 1971. Clare recalls: “During my recovery, I regained full mobility and could walk unaided. Horse riding, and equestrian life, continued to be a central part of my days.”
Then, in 2005, she started falling over more often than usual, and an MRI scan revealed her spine was collapsing at L1 and L2. “I underwent surgery in November 2006 at the spinal centre in Glasgow, and I woke up unable to move, for the second time in my life. After my initial injury, I’d made a full return to equestrian life, so when I came round after the surgery, I couldn’t quite believe I had to start the journey all over again. It was really difficult, and a lot to process.”
“I said to myself, I will walk out of the hospital again, which I did using callipers.” She now uses a wheelchair indoors and crutches outside and continued working as an equestrian coach and saddle fitter well into her seventies.
It was during that stay in Glasgow that Clare discovered Back Up, and it was the energy of two team members that stayed with her. “They were so positive about life, and they helped me believe that a brighter future was possible for me. After speaking to them, and hearing their own stories, I really believed that I could live the life I wanted to.”
After finding out about the multi-activity course in the Lake District, Clare knew she wanted to give it a go. “It was a real eye opener. We did everything, kayaking, venturing up hills, camping, all sorts of things. I learnt so much more than just practical skills, the course changed the way I was thinking. Back Up is not just about encouraging you to live your life, but to love your life. I came back invigorated and just thought, right, life goes on, I’m going to move forwards.”
That renewed drive saw Clare get straight back into the saddle and at 60, she experienced one of her proudest moments yet, competing for Team GB in para dressage. “I was able to wear the kit with the Union Jack, which for me was a very special moment.”
She also became one of the first Back Up mentors, a position she has now held for nearly 20 years. “One of the reasons I trained was to give back a little of what Back Up gave me, especially that self-belief and confidence. I find that just helping people, supporting people back into life again, is something you can’t put into words. You’re giving them their life back in a very small way. It’s up to them to take it forward, but you’re there to say, yes, you can do it.”
Then, on her 75th birthday Clare decided to skydive from 9,000 feet above Durham to raise money for Back Up. “I wanted to do something out of the ordinary to mark my birthday that year. My son Philip suggested a skydive. We’d tried to arrange one for my 70th, but due to lockdown restrictions we couldn’t go through with it. But, when we did it for my 75th it was worth the wait. The noise was incredible, and once the parachute opened, it was glorious, absolutely stunning. I would have stayed up there and glided forever. We went out over the sea and could see Durham, Darlington, Newcastle and the Tyne. It was breathtaking.” Together, they raised over £6,500.
Her advice to anyone adjusting to life following spinal cord injury is, “get out there and do whatever it is that you want to do.”
