FOUR women have set off on their gruelling challenge of completing a 500-mile cycle around the coast of Scotland in memory of their dear friend.

Kate Jones, Rachel Bradbury, Tabitha Worsley and Meg Thomas arrived in rainswept Scotland on Friday, and began their week-long challenge to complete the North West 500 on Saturday, July 31. The event incorporates 516 miles of zig-zagging around the north west Scottish coast, starting and finishing at Inverness Castle.

The foursome are taking on the challenge as a tribute to their friend, Lorna Brooke, an amateur jockey with ties to Powys, who died after falling from her horse at a race earlier this year. Lorna, 37, fell at the third fence at the Pontispool Equine Sports Centre Handicap Chase in Taunton on April 8. She was airlifted to hospital but died 11 days later. Lorna often trained at Dolau, near Llandrindod Wells, and was riding Orchestrated for her mother, Lady Susan Brooke, who is based in the Radnorshire village, at the race.

All four friends know Lorna through their shared passion for horses and they wanted to enter the North West 500 as they felt it would be a fitting tribute to her. The girls are raising money for two charities close to Lorna’s heart – the Injured Jockeys Fund and Retraining of Racehorses – and are currently on day three of their trek through the Scottish Highlands, finishing on Friday, August 6. It was thought that Meg would initially be unable to take part for the full week due to work commitments, but she made the trip up at the weekend.

County Times: The girls are riding in memory of their friend, Lorna BrookeThe girls are riding in memory of their friend, Lorna Brooke

They are keeping all their followers, family and friends entertained and updated with their progress via the Ride For Lorna Brooke Facebook page – with their fundraising total so far standing at a staggering £14,237.

“Day one. Completed it,” wrote Kate, from Glasbury, on the page after finishing a tiring first day of riding on Saturday.

“86 miles of Scottish roads. 4,500ft of elevation. I think it's fair to say we are ready for a rest now. Updates and pictures to follow.”

On Sunday, Kate posted: “Special day for us all. 63 miles today but some serious elevation coming at us and our legs are going to be doing some extra tough uphill. The hill is fairly early in our day so [once we] get that out the way [we can] enjoy some views.

“Please, please donate if you haven't already, we're going to be having a tough day physically and emotionally today. We miss you Lorna.”

On Sunday night, Tabitha – a fellow jockey who rode Sub Lieutenant to a 14th-placed finish at this year’s Grand National in April, two days after Lorna’s fall – posted the planned route for Monday (today, August 2).

“This is our planned route tomorrow, Monday 2nd, 56 miles, over 3,000ft climbing. But I don’t think we will be doing it in 5 hours 10 minutes. Anyone who might be on this route and wants to say ‘hi’, please do, your support means everything to us.”

Scotland was picked by the girls because Lorna’s father, Alastair, is Scottish and she has family connections there, while Kate said it is also a fitting tribute to the “crazy things” Lorna liked to do.

Lorna rode from Lands End to John O’Groats for a friend who previously fell from a horse and suffered a head injury. In an additionally poignant point to their friend, Rachel is riding the bike that Lorna used for that challenge, so it will certainly feel like Lorna has also come along for the ride. The girls also have photos of Lorna adorned on the front of their bikes for extra motivation.

Rachel, from Craven Arms, worked for years in the racing industry with Lorna, while Bromyard duo Tabitha and Meg went to school with her.

You can still make a donation to either of the charities via the group’s JustGiving fundraising page; just visit the Ride for Lorna page at https://www.justgiving.com/team/LornaBrooke.