THOUSANDS of pounds has been raised for charity in memory of a horse rider who died last month following an incident in Lewdown.

Linda Sandercock, 64, from Launceston was ‘doing one of her favourite activities’ on the morning of Friday, December 14 when she rode out on her horse with a friend in the Lewdown area. As they reached Hayne Cross, Linda was thrown from her horse and sustained an unsurvivable head injury.

Police attended the scene around 11.35am on that Friday. She was initially treated at the scene by paramedics before being airlifted to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

A police investigation was launched following this incident and all witnesses were identified.

Following enquiries, police were satisfied that there was no third party involvement into this incident and that no further policing action was required at this time.

Linda passed away the day after the incident with her husband, children and grandchildren by her side.

Linda’s family set up a Just Giving page in her memory with donations going to Cornwall Air Ambulance — the balance raised stood at £4,725 as the Times went to press.

Linda was a great lover of horses, having been senior horse steward for Launceston Agricultural Show for two years. Additionally, she was involved in the South West and National Pony Club Tetrathlon and Point to Point.

In a statement, the family said: ‘Mum loved horses, anyone that knew her would know her passion for all things horse related and she worked tirelessly to provide the best for us as children. As we left home and the horses at home dwindled, she still was immersed in the horse world. She rekindled her love of riding and died doing something that brought her great joy and freedom.

‘Mum is loved by so many, and will be sorely missed. She leaves a huge hole in many hearts.’

It was Devon Air Ambulance that took Linda to hospital on the day of the incident, but the family felt that her ‘Cornish roots’ needed celebrating too, along with Cornwall’s current efforts to raise money for a new helicopter.

‘Mum was a proud Cornish lady and the rural way of life was hers. Without this valuable resource we may never have had the chance to say goodbye.’