Hi everyone,

We are writing on behalf of our dear friend, Aeneas Wilder. On 16 May 2025, Aeneas - a professional visual artist based in Edinburgh - was involved in a serious cycling accident on Queen’s Drive when a pedestrian stepped into his path. Thrown from his bike, he landed on his head. His helmet saved his life, but he sustained a severe spinal injury resulting in tetraplegia.

Aeneas now needs a hoist to move from bed to wheelchair. He can steer his chair with his chin or mouth, but needs two carers for dressing and bathing, cannot feed himself, and requires ongoing support and pain management. He is unable to live at home, work and have the independent active life he once did.

Despite this, Aeneas has remained remarkably determined and hopeful. His physiotherapist believes that with regular, specialist therapy, real improvements are still possible. This treatment, however, must be privately funded; the intensity and frequency he needs are not available through the NHS.

Gains as small as the use of one hand would be life-changing, enabling Aeneas to work again with digital tools. And if he could walk with a frame or stick, he could one day return home to live with his wife, Naoko, and their children, Moira and Roy.

The first 18 months after such an injury are critical. Aeneas is in the unusual position of having a C2 to C6 spinal injury at the top of his neck and yet has full sensations throughout his body. With the right therapy he has genuine potential to regain movement. But this requires immediate, continuous physiotherapy: two hours costs £200. Four hours a week for six months totals £10,200. Hydrotherapy costs £80 an hour, two sessions a week for 6 month comes to £4160. This is support that could mean the difference between lifelong full-time care and a return to mobility, work, and family life.

Aeneas’ family are under severe financial strain, and while they would fund this treatment without hesitation, they simply cannot. His friends and wider family are helping as much as they can, but resources are limited.

Your donation could profoundly improve Aeneas’ quality of life. He has worked hard all his life and for over 30 years he has built an exceptional international career creating large-scale sculptural works. Those who know him understand how devastating this injury has been - and how extraordinary his positivity and determination remain. We want to give him every chance at the treatment that could transform his and his family’s future

James, Cinzia and friends