Members of a riding club enjoyed a nine-mile ride across some of Kent’s most beautiful countryside last weekend raising nearly £5,000 for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance service in the process.

The fundraising ride held by the Limpsfield Riding Club (LRC) was carried out in memory of former riding club member Wendy Norris.

Wendy, 47, was taken ill and died suddenly of an aneurysm last year at the yard in Tatsfield where she and daughter Hannah kept their two ponies.

The Helicopter Emergency Medial Service (HEMS) was called when Wendy’s condition worsened. She was operated on by the air amublance's doctor and paramedic at the yard, before she was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, where sadly she later died.

Yard manager and LRC chairman Alex Bonnell: “It was a dreadful evening, and one we will never forget, particularly when it became clear just how critical Wendy’s situation was.

“But when the Air Ambulance Team attended we knew she was in the best possible hands. They had such a professional calm approach and caring manner and did everything they could.”

After the tragedy Alex was keen to raise money for the HEMS service, which is funded almost entirely by charity donations and the idea of a memorial ride seemed a fitting way to remember Wendy, who had loved horses all her life.

Alex added: “All our members have supported the idea of the Memorial Ride – with over 60 riders taking part. We all hope this will become an annual event in Wendy’s memory.”

“It was a dreadful evening, and one we will never forget, particularly when it became clear just how critical Wendy’s situation was" - Alex Bonnell

The ride crossed farmland owned by Mr and Mrs Martin Bennett of Lingfield Lodge Farm, Marsh Green, who kindly gave the club access to the land and raised £4,800 for the air ambulance service.

A Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance spokeswoman said: “Each call-out of the helicopter costs about £2,500 so this substantial donation by the club will help fund two potentially-life saving missions.

“The pilot, doctor and paramedic are often called to horse riding accidents and the equestrian community are very supportive of the air ambulance which we really do appreciate.”

Local businesses were also generous with raffle prizes helping to boost the fund-raising even further.

To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/limpsfieldridingclub/