Family speaks of heartbreak after sister's death

Caroline March was passionate about her sport and all things equestrian

A leading equestrian has spoken of the "dark times" her family endured when her sister-in-law ended her life at an assisted dying clinic, two years after breaking her back in a fall from a horse.

Eventer Caroline March, of Colchester, Essex, was competing in 2022 when an accident at a showjumping fence left her paralysed from the waist down.

Her loved ones and the eventing community rallied to support her, but she struggled to cope and died in Switzerland earlier this year, aged 31.

Piggy March said she had made it her mission to fund spinal research and ongoing help for injured sportspeople, adding: "I know now how important it is if it goes wrong, that athletes and their families get the support they need and deserve."

Piggy and Tom March said they had talked positively about Caroline's future

She and her husband Tom - Caroline's brother - plan to embark on a cycling challenge to raise funds in her memory.

The couple run a stud in Maidwell, Northamptonshire, with Piggy previously representing Great Britain at eventing.

"I used to think a bad day was a lame horse knocking showjumps down, or having a loss of form, and suddenly somebody very close to you has an accident in your sport," she added.

"[A spinal injury] can happen at any minute, any day, to anybody, and not being able to help definitely really affected me."

'Strong, independent woman'

Caroline underwent surgery and rehabilitation after the fall at Burnham Market Horse Trials in Norfolk.

"She was a strong, independent woman," said Tom.

"She was very determined, very focused - she knew her own mind."

Having devoted her life to such a physical sport, Caroline found it impossible to come to terms with what had happened.

She told her family she was making plans to end her life at a clinic in Switzerland.

"It was an incredibly tough time," explained Tom.

"We were all there wanting to help and help her see a way forward and a way making a new life."

Like Piggy, brother and sister Tom and Caroline had grown up around horses

Piggy added: "It was heartbreaking.

"Every time I saw her I was like 'absolutely not, this is not even an option' I was wanting to shake her.

"The more we tried to keep Caroline alive the angrier and more horrible it all got, because she was hating us for not leaving her alone."

After seeking professional help, Piggy was advised "tell her you love her and are there for her", which helped, she said.

"I hope and pray she is at peace now."

A few months on from Caroline's death, MPs are due to debate in Parliament the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

The bill's safeguards mean an assisted death in a case such as Caroline's would still be illegal in this country, because she was not terminally ill.

Tom said he usually held "black or white" opinions, but he found he felt more "grey" about the divisive subject since losing his sister.

"When you go through the journey, you suddenly see all the nuances of different circumstances, and it's not as clear cut as you would think, on the face of it," he added.

The couple have been determined to channel their energies into helping others living with spinal cord injury.

"An experience like that makes you take a step back and realise there are more important things than trying to win a horse trials," he said.

Piggy and Tom are being joined by friends from the world of eventing

On Wednesday the couple will begin cycling 1,000km (621 miles) over 10 days with the aim of raising £500,000 for Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust.

The ride starts at Blair Castle, Perthshire, and will take in eventing venues including Burghley and Badminton, before finishing at the Savoy Hotel in London on 30 November.

"We realised the importance of what the British Eventing Support Trust did for us, to be able to get on the phone 24/7 in the dark times, to get the best advice," said Piggy.

Tom added: "With spinal research, the developments are coming and progress is being made, and they need help to get over the line.

"If we can be a small contribution towards that, then that is a phenomenal thing to achieve."

• If you've been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.