Family Support: In Memory of Hugo Yaxley and Helen McCrory
by Staff | Ride4Hugo | June 15, 2021 *updated May 03, 2022
Ride4Hugo is in memory of Hugo Yaxley, Damian and Helen’s nephew, 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 funds and awareness for four great charities that were close to both his and Helen’s heart. His Aunt, Helen McCrory, passed away five months after Hugo’s accident.
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.
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: