Cyclist completes 3000km challenge in Cornwall
The endurance challenge is in memory of his brother Hugo, who tragically died in a road collision in 2020
A cyclist has completed a major endurance challenge in Cornwall, in memory of his brother who died in a road traffic collision in 2020.
This summer, cyclist Thomas Yaxley has been riding to every air ambulance base in the UK — a route covering over 3,000km and 25,000m of elevation — as part of the Ride4Hugo Air Base Challenge 2025.
The challenge started on 31 July, taking him from Perth in Scotland to Cornwall, visiting 21 air ambulance charities across the UK.
The journey — never attempted before — has been submitted for a Guinness World Record.
Tom is undertaking the challenge to mark five years since the crash that changed his family’s life forever. On 16 November 2020, his brother Hugo, aged just 20, was fatally injured in a head-on collision. The incident saw a rapid response from multiple emergency teams, including three air ambulances. Though Hugo sadly passed away later that day, the care provided gave his family precious final moments with him.
Thomas Yaxley, Ride4Hugo organiser, said:
“Hugo loved adventure and believed in doing things differently. Five years on, I wanted to do something bold, something that reflects his energy – and also gives back to the organisations that supported us and mirror Hugo’s passions. Nobody’s ever taken on this challenge before – it’s going to be tough, but it’s nothing compared to what so many families go through when facing tragedy.”
Lindsay Boswell, Interim CEO at Air Ambulances UK, said:
“Ride4Hugo is an incredible tribute to Hugo and an extraordinary challenge. Thomas’s determination and the scale of this ride are inspiring. The money raised will support the lifesaving work of the UK’s air ambulance charities, ensuring more families get the critical care and chance that was offered to the Yaxley family. We are proud to be one of the charities supported and we’ll be cheering Tom on at every stage.”
Now, Tom is raising vital funds for three charities that reflect Hugo’s life, values and the organisations involved that day:
- Air Ambulances UK – the national charity championing and supporting the UK’s 21 air ambulance charities
- Place2Be – delivering mental health support in schools
- HvH ARTS (Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation) – offering access to the arts for children and young people
Thomas is supporting HvH ARTS as it was a charity close to the heart of his Auntie Helen McCrory, best known for her performance in Peaky Blinders.
Debbi Clark, CEO & Founder, at HvH ARTS said:
"We are incredibly grateful to Thomas Yaxley and Ride4Hugo for his unwavering support of HvH ARTS. Thomas’s dedication to taking on extreme and challenging bike rides has been vital in helping us raise the funds we need to continue our work. His support directly helps us provide disadvantaged children and young people with access to the arts, along with healthy meals that support both physical and mental wellbeing. Together, we are changing lives, inspiring hope, and giving the next generation the opportunity to thrive beyond their circumstances."
Jacqui Segal, Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications at Place2Be, said: – “We are so grateful to Thomas for taking on yet another epic Ride4Hugo adventure and continuing to support children's mental health. Thomas has done so much for Place2Be over the years in memory of his amazing brother Hugo, and we are so excited to see him take the Air Ambulance Challenge, covering an astounding 3000km across the UK to raise money for three incredibly important causes. He is an absolute inspiration and his energy and passion seems to know no bounds!”