Tommy’s bike has been stolen – can you help?

During the past five years, Gallery Director at The Scottish Gallery, Tommy Zyw, and his twin brother Davy have cycled thousands of miles and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for MND research.

Davy was diagnosed with MND in 2019 at just 30 years old.

Their cycling campaigns have included riding the North Coast 500 in just four days, leading Team Edinburgh in Doddie Aid, and in 2021, completing the Scotland High – tackling Scotland’s five highest roads in a continuous 265-mile ride.

Throughout his training and these rides, Tommy has relied on his customized Bianchi Oltre, a high-performance racing bike that has enabled him to achieve his charity goals.

On Friday, 16 August, Tommy’s bike was stolen near George Square moments after receiving a warning from his mother, who had also experienced a bike theft at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

The thieves cut through two locks, leaving them discarded on the street. Although the police were notified immediately, Tommy is now appealing to the Edinburgh community to help find his cherished bike, which holds immense sentimental value. The theft has been reported to Police Scotland along with links to CCTV nearby.

Tommy said: “This bike is my most prized possession. I’ve ridden thousands of miles on it and raised thousands of pounds for the My Name’s Doddie Foundation. I’m asking the cycling community of Edinburgh to spread the word and be vigilant for bike thieves in the Edinburgh Festival area.”Tommy said: “For the past five years I have been fundraising to find a cure for MND.

“My campaign, which I set up with my twin brother Davy is called Ride for MND, and we have raised close to £250,000 for My Name’s5 Doddie Foundation.

“Davy was diagnosed with MND in 2019. We have undertaken gruelling cycling challenges to fundraise and spread important awareness. Davy is a great ambassador for the Doddie Foundation and has contributed widely to the media.”