Riders thank air ambulance with fundraising trek

11:08am Monday 12th May 2008

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HORSE riders have thanked a flying doctor service for saving the life of a County Durham woman, by staging a sponsored endurance pony trek.

Jane Lishman, from Darlington, had both legs amputated after being dragged underneath a horse around a field, while throughout her ordeal, a rope cut deeper into her groin.

Linda Mackie said that had it not been for the rapid response of the North-East Air Ambulance, her friend would have died.

Mrs Mackie runs a riding school at Hunters Rest Farm, on the edge of Eaglescliffe.

During their Easter break from school, ten of her riding pupils, aged eight to 14, rode 15 miles through the hills above Guisborough to raise £850, with the help of the sponsor of the ride, east Cleveland-based financial consultant Bob Little.

Mrs Mackie said: "I think what the youngsters did was fabulous. But the air ambulance do marvellous work, and I would say the bulk of their work is devoted to helping walkers and equestrians."

Prize-winning Ms Lishman was worming a horse when a rope she was using rode up between her legs, spooking the horse which broke into a run, dragging her underneath it.