Equestrian family shares grief following sister’s assisted death

A prominent equestrian has discussed the “dark times” her family experienced after her sister-in-law chose to end her life at an assisted dying clinic. This occurred two years following an incident where she broke her back after falling from a horse. Caroline March, an eventer from Colchester, Essex, became paralysed from the waist down in 2022 due to an accident at a cross-country fence during a competition. Despite support from her family and the eventing community, she found it difficult to cope and passed away in Switzerland earlier this year at the age of 31. Piggy March stated her commitment to funding spinal research and continuous assistance for injured athletes, remarking: “I know now how important it is if it goes wrong, that athletes and their families get the support they need and deserve.” She and her husband Tom, who is Caroline’s brother, intend to undertake a cycling challenge to collect donations in Caroline’s honor. The couple operates a stud farm in Maidwell, Northamptonshire, and Piggy has previously competed for Great Britain in eventing. She further commented, “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 also noted that “[A spinal injury] can happen at any minute, any day, to anybody, and not being able to help definitely really affected me.” Following her fall at the Burnham Market Horse Trials in Norfolk, Caroline received surgery and rehabilitation. Tom described her, saying, “”She was a strong, independent woman,”” and “”She was very determined, very focused – she knew her own mind.”” Caroline, who had dedicated her life to a highly physical sport, struggled to accept her condition. She informed her family of her intentions to end her life at a clinic located in Switzerland. Tom elaborated, “”It was an incredibly tough time.”” He continued, “”We were all there wanting to help and help her see a way forward and a way making a new life.”” Piggy described it as “”heartbreaking.”” She recalled, “”Every time I saw her I was like ‘absolutely not, this is not even an option’ I was wanting to shake her.”” She also stated, “”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.”” Piggy mentioned that after seeking professional assistance, she was advised to “tell her you love her and are there for her,” which she found beneficial. She expressed, “”I hope and pray she is at peace now.”” Several months after Caroline’s passing, Members of Parliament are scheduled to discuss the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in Parliament. The protective measures within this bill indicate that an assisted death in circumstances similar to Caroline’s would remain unlawful in this nation, as she was not terminally ill. Tom commented that while he typically held “black or white” views, he now feels more “grey” regarding the contentious topic since his sister’s death. He further explained, “”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.”” The couple has resolved to direct their efforts towards assisting other individuals affected by spinal cord injury. Tom remarked, “”An experience like that makes you take a step back and realise there are more important things than trying to win a horse trials.”” This Wednesday, the couple will commence a 1,000km (621 miles) cycling journey spanning 10 days, with the objective of collecting £500,000 for Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust. The route begins at Blair Castle, Perthshire, and will encompass eventing locations such as Burghley and Badminton, concluding at the Savoy Hotel in London on 30 November. Piggy stated, “”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.”” Tom further commented, “”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.”” For news from the East of England, updates are available on X, Instagram, and Facebook via BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire, or BBC Suffolk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Further details on our external linking policy can be accessed.