Claire Lomas will become the first person to complete a marathon in a bionic suit today, crossing the finishing line on The Mall 16 days after the London Marathon began.

The 32-year-old Claire from Eye Kettleby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, became paralysed from the chest down after a horse riding accident. She broke her neck, back and ribs and punctured a lung when her horse threw her off as she participated in the Osberton Horse Trials in Nottinghamshire in 2007.

As Claire today completes the 26.2-mile route, which she started on April 22 with some 36,000 other participants, she will become the first person to complete any marathon using a bionic ReWalk suit.

Her husband Dan, mother Joyce and 13-month-old daughter Maisie cheered her as she walked around two miles every day. Claire has already been successful in raising £80,000 for Spinal Research, a charity which funds medical research around the world to develop cure for paralysis caused by a broken back or neck.

Celebrities including TV presenter Gabby Logan and husband, former international rugby star Kenny, and TV presenter Ben Fogle have lent their support by walking a mile with Claire. However, marathon organisers have confirmed that Lomas will not recieve any medal, as competitors need to finish on the same day to qualify for a medal.

Claire, who is walking the marathon wearing a £43,000 ReWalk suit, designed by Israeli entrepreneur Amit Goffer, has reached her fundraising target of £50,000. The suit enables people with lower-limb paralysis to stand, walk and climb stairs through motion sensors and an onboard computer system.