INJURED JOCKEY RIDES MOUNT OF DIFFERENT KIND

Just ten days before Christmas Day in 2008, promising Sydney apprentice jockey Lachlan Fyfe was the victim of a horror horse racing accident, which would end his riding career.

His mount, Mealtime, broke his leg during a barrier trail at Hawkesbury leaving Fyfe, 23, suffering from severe bruising to the brain and was in an induced coma for 10 days. But late on Christmas morning of that year, the young jockey opened his eyes for the first time, much to the relief of his family and friends.

A little over 18 months on and, after defying all odds in his rehabilitation, Fyfe has embarked on an epic bicycle ride from Sydney to Brisbane. During his rehabilitation, Fyfe spent hours cycling on a stationery bike in the gym, improving his fitness and coordination. In April, he decided to complete a charity bike ride, waking most mornings to train around the highways of the Central Coast and Newcastle where he lives.

Despite living with permanent brain injuries and short term memory difficulties, the former jockey will leave the stationery bike behind cycling almost 1000 kilometres in a bid to raise awareness and much needed funds for the National Jockeys Trust (NJT) charity. At the same time, Fyfe will raise money for Riding for the Disabled (Central Coast Division), where he often volunteers.

The NJT was established in 2004 to assist ill and injured jockeys and their families. Relying purely on donations and sponsors, the charity supported Lachlan following his 2008 accident.

Fyfe, who will be accompanied by Zoie and Melanie Swindells driving a donated motor home, is due to cycle into Brisbane on Saturday, October 23 finishing his journey at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

Donations can be made at http://www.njt.org.au or post your donation to Ride2Ride c/o National Jockeys Trust PO Box 800, Castle Hill NSW 1765.