Event riders and fans of the sport will remember the tragic loss of rider Caroline March last year. Caroline chose assisted suicide after becoming paralyzed from a crashing fall during the cross-country portion of an event in 2022. She was 31 years old.
This year, her brother Tom March completed a five-day endurance challenge called the Pedal3Peaks in her honour and to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord research.
“Losing my sister Caroline last year was incredibly difficult, but I’m hoping I can use that heartbreak to help raise awareness and funds for the work of Spinal Research,” he said prior to starting the challenge. “Having experienced paralysis close up, you understand how life-changing it can be – it’s about so much more than just being in a wheelchair. Sadly, it wasn’t a life Caroline wanted for herself, but I want to use the heartbreak we experienced to achieve something positive in her memory to help others. This challenge was designed to be right at the limit of what can be achieved, so it will be a huge test, but I’m looking forward to getting started, and looking forward to finishing at Windsor even more!”
His journey began on May 11th at Balmoral Castle and finished on May 15th at Windsor Castle during the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Fittingly, the UK charity Spinal Research is the official show charity at Royal Windsor.
Caroline March.
Tom cycled over 800 miles and climbed 27 miles of the UK’s highest peaks on foot, completing it all in under 100 hours. He arrived to great fanfare during the opening of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
“Day one was tough but enjoyable. Day two was not fun in any way, shape or form,” Tom told the crowd. “The days kept getting longer and harder, especially with no sleep, but what kept me going was remembering why I was doing it, to raise money and awareness for Spinal Research, and in the darkest moments, that gave me the strength to dig deep and keep moving.”
Caroline wrote a poignant goodbye on her Facebook page, explaining the reasons for her decision with grace and humour.
Anyone interested in donating to Pedal3Peaks in memory of Caroline March can do so here.
More News
