Alumni Services

On a bicycle made for three

Doctors Andrew Stanfield and Andrew McKechanie and research nurse Sarah Wright are off to Paris this month, all sharing the same bicycle at the same time.

Doctors Andrew Stanfield, Andrew McKechanie and Sarah Wright

The three clinical academics from the Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities will be completing a 250 mile cycle from London to Paris with the aim of raising both money and awareness for their research work at the Centre.

A team effort

Starting in central London on August 30th, the team will be cycling to Newhaven on the South Coast, before continuing to Paris from Dieppe.

Not wanting to get separated, the team will be travelling on a bicycle made for three, otherwise known as a triplet, similar to the one made famous by the BBC comic trio, the Goodies.

The cycle is approximately 250 miles, which they hope to cycle in 5 days. They will also be supported by team manager and fellow colleague Dr Sonya Campbell whose sports psychology skills may come in handy when the going gets tough.

Whilst the triplet bike will make our cycle quite a bit more challenging, we hope that it’ll be an eye-catching way of raising interest and awareness.

Dr Andrew StanfieldDirector, The Patrick Wild Centre

Inspired by supporters

The decision to undertake this two wheeled Anglo-French adventure was taken by the team having been inspired by the numerous supporters who take on significant tough and trying challenges to raise awareness and funds for the Patrick Wild Centre.

Every year dedicated supporters of the Patrick Wild Centre organize and complete an array of activities from mountain climbing to music concerts, all in aid of the Patrick Wild Centre. In 2013 over £30,000 was raised and the two Andrews plus Sarah hope to significantly bolster the 2014 total.

Over the years, we have been incredibly humbled by the lengths that supporters of the centre have gone to, in order to fundraise for us. We wanted to undertake a challenge ourselves to show that charity starts at home.

Dr Andrew StanfieldDirector, The Patrick Wild Centre

Autism and fragile X syndrome

Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition. There are more than half a million people in the UK with autism and to date, there is no licensed treatment.

Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability, and the most common known genetic cause of autism spectrum disorders. It affects an estimated 15,000 people in the UK.

A centre without walls

The Patrick Wild Centre was established in 2010 following donations from alum, Dr Alfred Wild along with Gus Alusi and Reem Waines, a London based family whose son Kenz has fragile X syndrome.

The Centre brings together more than 50 research teams from across the University working together to better understand the causes of autism, fragile X and intellectual disabilities and aiming to develop and test new treatments for these.

Your support

If you would like to find out more about how you can support the Centre, please contact our Individual Giving Officer, Kerry Mackay.

Mrs Kerry Mackay

Senior Community Fundraising Officer

  • Development and Alumni
  • Supporter Engagement

Contact details

Address

Street

Charles Stewart House
9-16 Chambers Street

City
Edinburgh
Post Code
EH1 1HT

Availability

  • 9.30am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday

 

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