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Tom and Piggy March launch fundraising cycle ride for eventing and spinal injury charities
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Eventers swap four legs for two wheels in 1,000km charity cycle ride in memory of top rider Caroline March
We sometimes forget the dangers of eventing but, unfortunately, over the years, the sport has taken the lives of a number of riders and left others with serious injuries. Sadly, one of those riders was Caroline March, whose death in March this year followed life-changing injuries sustained in an eventing fall in 2022.
Now, Caroline’s brother, Tom March, and sister-in-law, leading event rider Piggy March, are launching a 10-day charity cycle ride in support of the British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research, with the aim of raising £500,000 for the vital work carried out by these organisations.
The ride, called Cycle4Caroline, sets off on 20 November from Blair Castle, Perthshire, and will take in prestigious eventing venues, including Bramham, Chatsworth, Burghley, Blenheim Palace and Badminton. On the final leg, riders will cycle from Windsor, through central London, to The Savoy Hotel, the location for the BE Support Trust Charity Ball that will take place the same evening (November 30).
Taking part alongside Piggy and Tom March will be a core team of cyclists including, BE Support Trust Chair of the Board of Trustees and three-time Olympian Ian Stark OBE, Support Trust Patron Alastair Wilson and multi-medallist Holly Woodhead. Other stars from the equestrian and sporting world will also join individual sections of the ride and these include members of the British 2024 gold-medal Olympic team, former Olympians and also world and European champions.
Piggy March said: “It’s the first time in my life that I’ll be supporting my sport from the other side of the fence. I’ve had an amazing time and loved doing what I’ve done and had great fun working with horses. But, this year, we’ve seen some tragedies that have been out of our hands and have upset us enormously.
“We know it’s a high-risk sport, but I still want to encourage people to enjoy a career and a life with horses as much as I have. I also want the families who are, sadly, affected by a fall or an accident that brings a dramatic change to their lives to have the support and encouragement to plan and move forward in a positive way. It’s something that we feel very strongly about.”
Caroline’s brother, Tom, added: “Caroline’s life was completely transformed by her spinal injury, and she really believed in helping to pursue scientific advances to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity focused on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord and so it was the right fit to try to achieve a positive change in Caroline’s memory.”
He continued: “We don’t have any experience of cycling, so it’s been a case of starting from scratch in terms of knowledge, fitness and equipment! The biggest challenge might be the conditions at the end of November. Daylight will be at a premium and we have learnt a few things since we came up with the idea – first, no one does organised cycle rides in the UK in November and, secondly, everyone cycles south to north – not north to south like us – so the prevailing wind is behind them and not in their face!”
Ian Stark OBE also commented: “It’s a privilege to be involved with Cycle4Caroline, and I hope I can keep up with the peloton and do everyone proud. The team here at the British Eventing Support Trust, just like everyone connected with eventing, was devastated to hear of Caroline’s passing, but it’s typical of the March family that out of such tragedy comes the burning desire to help other people. Here’s hoping we can raise lots of money for the British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research. We have an aim to raise £500,000, so we need everyone’s help to ensure we smash that target!”
Unfortunately, it’s not only event riders who are at risk of spinal injury. In fact, every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed following a spinal cord injury, and Spinal Research is the country’s leading charity funding medical research to develop life-changing treatments for the millions around the world living with a spinal cord injury.
Tara Stewart, Chair of Spinal Research, said: “All of us at Spinal Research were deeply saddened by the news of Caroline’s death and we are honoured and delighted to be part of the Cycle4Caroline challenge, which will support both our work and that of the British Eventing Support Trust, creating a legacy of hope in her memory.”
Supporters will be able to follow the team’s progress via social media and updates at www.cycle4caroline.com
Photo credit: Jason Bax/Equuis Photography