THE family of a Kielder schoolgirl, who had to be airlifted to hospital after a riding accident, have joined other villagers to raise hundreds of pounds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Ten-year-old Lucy Henderson, from Kielder village, was riding her pony, Flash, in Bellingham in April when it threw her off.

Lucy hit the ground and hurt her ankle, and her dad, Matt Henderson, picked her up and put her back on, with the intention of leading the pony back to the stable to inspect Lucy’s ankle.

But the pony unexpectedly began bucking and she was thrown off again.

Lucy was knocked unconscious and the pupil in her right eye was huge, with next to no blue eye colour showing.

With Lucy showing signs of head trauma, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) was dispatched to the scene.

After treatment by the air crew doctor and paramedic, Lucy was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in just 12 minutes.

Lucy stayed in hospital overnight, and after thorough checks, was allowed to return home the next day.

Since the incident, nine people from Kielder village, including Lucy’s mum and dad, Matt and Tracy, have taken part in a sponsored 26-mile bike ride and raised more than £700 for GNAAS.

Tracy said: “Honestly, we definitely couldn’t be without the GNAAS.

“As the road ambulance was making its way up, the helicopter had managed to land, get Lucy on the stretcher and take her to the RVI.

“We live in the middle of nowhere, so we see the air ambulance quite a lot, which makes you realise just how much we need it.”

Lucy wasn’t allowed to ride for eight weeks after the incident, but now she is thrilled to be back in the saddle.

“She’s back to being Lucy, and is already riding ponies and jumping again, as if nothing has happened – while I’ve got my heart in my mouth, hoping she’s going to be okay,” added Tracy.