Author and wine specialist Davy Zyw, and his twin brother, Tommy Zyw, director at The Scottish Gallery, will cycle the North Coast 500 to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which raises funds for Motor Neurone Disease. Davy is 32 years old, recently married and was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2018. This charity cycle will raise vital funds for research into causes and potential cures as well as providing grants to those who live with it to enable as fulfilled a life as possible.
The brothers plan to cycle their 500-mile route in only four days this August, an arduous challenge for anyone. Famed Scottish artist Kate Downie will create a limited-edition work of the Zyw brothers cycling across the Forth Road Bridge to help raise funds. T-shirts designed by London-based artist and interior designer Luke Edward Hall are available and The Scottish Gallery will host a series of online events in aid of the event.
The brothers have already raised more than £62,000 for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity started by Scottish Rugby legend Doddie Weir who was diagnosed with MND in 2017. MND degenerates muscles, stripping control and mobility. The active mind becomes trapped in a paralysed body. 50% of the people diagnosed with MND sadly die within two years.
Davy and Tommy have been endorsed by the world record holder for cycling round the world, Mark Beaumont and explorer and former Special Forces Sergeant Jason Fox. Davy has also received a specially signed bike and helmet from cycling legends Mario Cipollini and Alessandro De Marchi. Their route circumnavigates Scotland’s remote coastline and climbs the equivalent height of Mount Everest. Navigating from Inverness, through Applecross, Torridon, Ullapool, Durness, Caithness and Dingwall, this physically demanding route is famed for its magnificent views and uncompromising landscape.
Davy Zyw comments, As we head toward the two-year anniversary since my diagnosis, I want to help drive awareness of this life-shattering disease and do my bit to help find a cure when I still have power in my legs, lead in my pecker and enough grip in my hands to hold my handlebars. It’s been a difficult journey to get to today, where I have accepted my lot, and I am ready to share this with you all. Every pound we raise and every pedal we push will go towards finding a cure and raising awareness for people living with the disease. People like me.
The charity ride had been planned for May 2020 but was rescheduled due to the pandemic. Davy and Tommy will be accompanied by their younger brother Sorley and four friends, including a Royal Marine Commando. They will be supported on the ride by their parents’ camper and a Royal Navy van.
