Tom March — the husband of five-star event rider Piggy — cycled into Royal Windsor Horse Show this afternoon, marking the end of his mammoth 800-mile journey to raise money for Spinal Research.
Along the way he also climbed Britain’s three highest peaks on foot: Ben Nevis (1,345m) in Scotland, Scafell Pike (978m) in the Lake District and Mount Snowdon (1,085m) in Wales.
Tom took on the Pedal3Peaks challenge in memory of his late sister Caroline, an event rider who died by suicide last year after being paralysed in a fall while competing.
He set out from Balmoral Castle last Sunday, 11 May, and achieved his goal of arriving in Windsor within 100 hours.
His journey, undertaken to raise vital funds for Spinal Research, the UK’s leading medical charity focused on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord, pushed him to his physical and emotional limits.
“Day one was tough but enjoyable. Day two was not fun in any way, shape or form,” said Tom.
“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.”
‘Right at the limit’
Before he set off, Tom said the challenge was designed to be “right at the limit of what can be achieved” and acknowledged that it would be a huge test.
“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.
“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.”
Spinal Research is the nominated charity for this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show.
In November 2024, Tom and Piggy March, plus several other members of the equestrian community, including Olympian Ian Stark, completed Cycle4Caroline, a 1,100km cycle ride from Blair Castle in Scotland to the Savoy Hotel in London.
It raised almost £350,000 for Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust.
Main image © Royal Windsor Horse Show/Peter Nixon
Donate to Tom’s Just Giving page here
