SOME of the biggest names in the eventing world are swopping four legs for two wheels in a 1,000km charity cycle ride in memory of talented rider Caroline March.
Cycle4Caroline was launched today (August 19) by leading event rider Piggy March and her husband Tom – Caroline’s brother – and aims to raise a six-figure sum for the British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research.
The ten-day ride will start on November 20 at Blair Castle, Perthshire, and will take in prestigious eventing venues including Bramham, Chatsworth, Burghley, Blenheim and Badminton.
Caroline, 31, from Colchester, died through assisted suicide in March two years after suffering life-changing injuries in a cross-country fall.
Her brother Tom said: “We’re really focused on making Cycle4Caroline a success.
“I’m looking forward to the whole challenge and being able to achieve something positive in Caroline’s memory for the benefit of others.
“If we can make a difference to the lives of others that will make all the work worthwhile.
“Caroline’s life was completely transformed by her spinal injury, and she really believed in the need 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 was the right fit to try to achieve a positive change in Caroline’s memory.”
Tom and Piggy will complete the full 1,000km ride with a core team of cyclists including BE Support Trust Chair and three-time Olympian Ian Stark OBE, and multi-medallist Holly Woodhead.
BE Support Trust Patron Alastair Wilson, also joins the peloton. Alastair’s wife Nicola, a former Olympic silver medallist and European Eventing Champion also suffered lifealtering spinal injuries as a result of a cross-country fall at Badminton Horse Trials in 2022.
Additional stars from the equestrian and sporting world will join individual journey legs, including members of Team GB’s 2024 gold medal winning Olympic team, former Olympians, World and European Champions.
The epic challenge will finish on November 30 at The Savoy Hotel, London, just before the British Eventing Support Trust Charity Ball.
Supporters will be able to follow the team’s progress via social media, and updates via cycle4caroline.com.
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