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Cyclists finish 1,100km ride in sister's memory

Instagram/Carolinemarchhorses Caroline March in a green waxed jacket and grey bobble hat, who is sitting in a mobility scooter while stroking the nose of chestnut coloured horse. The horse is wearing a blue coat Instagram/Carolinemarchhorses
Caroline March, who spent her life riding horses, was left paralysed from the waist down after an accident

A leading equestrian and her husband have completed a 1,100km (683-mile) cycle ride in honour of his sister who ended her life at an assisted dying clinic, after breaking her back in a fall from a horse.

Piggy and Tom March, who run a stud in Maidwell, Northamptonshire, have raised about £275,000 for two charities after leading a team of cyclists from Blair Castle in Perthshire to London's Savoy Hotel over 10 days.

Tom's sister Caroline March, from Colchester, Essex, was competing as an eventer in Norfolk in 2022 when an accident at a cross-country fence left her paralysed from the waist down.

"It feels like a whirlwind of emotions to have finished," Mr March said.

James Burridge/BBC Piggy and Tom March sitting side by side on a cream sofa, both wearing dark blue gilets with Spinal Research and British Eventing Support Trust logos on one side of the chest, and a cycling logo on the other. A table lamp, sideboard, framed pictures on the wall and a TV can be seen behind them. James Burridge/BBC
Piggy and Tom March finished their 1,100km ride from Scotland to London on Saturday

"There's an element of excitement and a sense of achievement, but it's a relief to have it all done, dusted and everyone back safe and sound," Mr March continued.

"There were some times along the way where it all felt a little bit hairy, particularly the penultimate day."

Caroline died aged 31 at a Swiss clinic earlier this year after struggling to come to terms with the consequences of her accident at Burnham Market Horse Trials in Norfolk.

The Cycle4Caroline challenge - which took in eventing venues including Burghley House in Lincolnshire and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire - raised money for Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust.

The ride finished on Saturday at the Savoy Hotel, just ahead of the trust's ball there.

Piggy, who was born in Norfolk and represented Great Britain, said she had made it her mission to fund spinal research and ongoing help for injured sportspeople, and recognised how her family had been helped by the eventing charity.

March family A boy aged about 11 in a yellow T-shirt and blue jeans looks down while sitting on a brown horse, while beside him a girl aged about nine in a pale blue T-shirt and black trousers smiles at the camera while sitting on a white horse.March family
Brother and sister Tom and Caroline had grown up around horses

Former eventer Catriona Williams, who set up a charity in her native New Zealand after being paralysed, travelled to the UK to join the ride using a hand bike.

The couple were also joined by other friends from the eventing world who, despite their sporting prowess, had all found parts of the ride challenging.

Tom said heavy traffic at times as well as the weather conditions, which included high winds, snow and freezing temperatures, had contributed to making it tough going.

On one of the last legs, the trip was also marred when four-time Olympic silver winner Ian Stark crashed on his bike and dislocated his thumb, before carrying on.

"Seeing partners, wives, children - it was an emotional moment," Mr March said.

"When you've been through an ordeal like we have, it makes you appreciate what you have and your loved ones."

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March family Piggy and Tom in cycle helmets - him with sunglasses - with both wearing pink cycling jackets with Cycle 4 Caroline in white lettering across the chest. Other logos in white are dotted around the chest area including Spinal Research and UCMarch family
Piggy and Tom said the conditions on the ride had been challenging at times

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