Damian Lewis

Family Support

by Staff | Ride4Hugo | June 15, 2021

Ride4Hugo is in memory of Hugo Yaxley, who tragically died in a car accident in November, 2020. Hugo was a big advocate of facing up to mental health issues and changing the stigma attached to it. Ride4Hugo aims to raise £24,000 and awareness for four great charities.

Uncle Damian, as he was to Hugo, is Ride4Hugo’s patron. Best known for his performances on screen and stage, Damian has also contributed a huge amount of charity work. Most recently he and his late wife Helen McCrory helped raise over £1m for the FeedNHS campaign. Very tragically, Aunty Helen passed away five months after Hugo’s accident. So to honor her we chose to support The Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation, a charity she had been the Patron of. Damian recently reflected on Hugo, stating:

“The recurring theme talking to people about Hugo, is that, for one so young, he leaves an incredible legacy. He truly inspired people of his generation, through his own bravery, to be more confident and open about their mental health. This is an extraordinary thing to have achieved by the age of 20. He’s touched more people in his short life than most do in their longer ones. One great memory is of our family holiday in Mallorca when Hugo perfected and demonstrated (endlessly) the art of “bombing” in the swimming pool. Face down mostly. For ages afterwards, we called him Bomber Yaxley. He became many other fabulous things as he got older but that fearlessness never left him. And he used it to help others. Love you Hugo.”

Below is information about the upcoming bike ride campaigns, the bike routes, and the charities Ride4Hugo supports:

Ride Campaigns

The Prologue
June 4, 2022
122km ride from Bristol to Marlborough
More information here

The Sportive
June 5, 2022
30km, 60km, 100km ride from through Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset
More information here

London2Madrid
July 9-24, 2022
1800km ride from London to Madrid
More information here

The Charities

Each of the four charities has been selected because they not only do life changing work every single day but have a special link to Hugo.

Place2Be
Mental health was something that was very close to Hugo, he battled through is own issues and not only came out stronger but set about raising awareness and money for this issue. He spoke out to 300 of school friends about this experiences, watch the video. Place2be are a charity that Hugo supported by doing a 150 mile ride in north Wales. Find out more here.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
It is thanks to the incredible work of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance that Minna not only survived the car accident but has no life changing injuries. The Air Ambulances do incredible work and are there when people need them the most. They receive no government funding. Find out more about this amazing organization here.

Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation
Hugo’s Aunt Helen McCrory was the Parton of HvH Arts. Sadly she joined Hugo in April 2021, as a tribute to her we have chosen to support them. HvH works with 5–18 year old children and young people providing them with the inspiration and tools to develop lifelong artistic passions. You can find out more about them here.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Just like HIOW AA they saves lives every single day. It is thanks to the amazing work of the crew of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance that Hugo’s parents got a chance to say goodbye to him. They rely solely on public contributions, at £3,000 a mission they need everything they can get to keep flying. Find out more about their incredible work here.

For more information, please visit Ride4Hugo here
If you would like to inquire about volunteer roles, please contact Ride4Hugo here