The female horse rider involved in a serious road collision on the A6 has been discharged from hospital.
Francesca Kennedy, 20, was riding her horse Bart near Clifton on Wednesday when she was involved in a collision with a Land Rover, driven by man in his 70s from Penrith.
Bart had to be put down by a vet after the incident and Francesca was airlifted by the Great North Air Ambulance to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.
She had two torn ligaments and a torn tendon in her leg as a result of the collision.
Now, recuperating with her sister in Lancashire, Francesca has launched a fundraising drive for the Great North Air Ambulance.
Francesca, of Keswick, has already raised £2,000 in memory of Bart in just over 24 hours.
The former Keswick School pupil said: “I can’t express to you all enough how heart broken I am to have lost my best friend so tragically I have no words but I’m utterly broken.
“I loved him so so much and he meant to much to so many people.
“When COVID restrictions are fully lifted I am going to hold Bart’s Ball – and hold one every year – to raise funds for the air ambulance.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who has already donated to this wonderful charity.”
Police are appealing for information about the collision.
Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances of the incident.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or the moments leading up to it and has yet to come forward is asked to contact Sergeant 1962 Vickers or PC 2499 Patterson referencing incident 118 of 30 December 2020.
To donate to Bart’s Legacy appeal, visit https://gofund.me/b4dc60d3
