The 4X Team

Longstanding friends of The Patrick Wild Centre, Gus Alusi and Reem Waines, along with their friends and family have spent the last 8 years tackling some of the world’s most famous challenges to raise awareness for Fragile X Syndrome.

In April 2017 they started their next adventure: #silk4x. Gus and friends travelled along the silk route from London to Tashkent in just 17 days! You can read more about their success on this news post: 4XTeam along the silk route.

If you would like to donate please follow the link to the Just Giving Page. Their hope is that funds raised will go towards creating PhD position in Fragile X research here at The Patrick Wild Centre.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Silk4X

 

In 2008 their first trip was to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, where they raised over £60,000 for Fragile X Syndrome Research.

The team on top of Mt Kilimanjaro, 5895m
The team on top of Mt Kilimanjaro, 5895m

Then, in 2011, Gus and a team of 30 set out to drive from London in ten cars that cost less than £1,000 each through the rough terrain of the Sahara desert, to arrive in Timbuktu.

“What an amazing trip! We have been all the way to Timbuktu and met with it’s wonderful people.We donated the remaining 2cars and medical supplies to the Desert Hospital Touareg – which has no ambulances and is 40km North of Timbuktu. They reciprocated with overwhelming generosity and hospitality. I feel privileged to know that our trip has made such a difference”. – Gus on his return from Timbuktu January 2011.

Gus (left) with his car in the Sahara
Gus (left) with his car in the Sahara

In August 2013, Gus & Reem organised the epic 3Peaks4X challenge.  With more than twenty five friends they took on the National Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the Patrick Wild Centre. The seven teams climbed three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales (in that order) in 24 hours: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon.  An epic journey for all involved, and raising a much valued £25,000 for Fragile X Syndrome research.

Reem (top, left), Gus (bottom, right) and some of the 3Peaks4X teams
Reem (top, left), Gus (bottom, right) and some of the 3Peaks4X teams

2014 was the first of three treks to the Everest Base Camp for the 4X team, Gus and 3 Friends traveled to Nepal and hiked the impressive 5,545 meters to the base camp of the worlds highest mountain.

In 2015 it was Reem’s turn to make 4,600 mile Journey from London to Kathmandu to embark on the trek to base camp, unfortunately their trip was cut short after the devastating earthquake that affected Nepal and its surrounding areas. They travelled as high as they could raising awareness with the locals on their way. On the way back, before returning to the UK they visited an orphanage in Kathmandu where they met with the locals and helped out where they could.

Gus (3rd from left) and his team at Everest Base Camp, 5364m
Gus (3rd from left) and his team at Everest Base Camp, 5364m

In 2016, a year later, Reem and her team decided to complete the trek to Everest Base Camp and after seeing the damage caused from the earthquakes, took with them a hoist to gift to the orphanage where the team visited in 2015. This year they safely completed the trek to Everest Base Camp.

In addition to the epic challenges detailed above, the 4X team have also organised fantastic fundraising music events; the Fabric4X event in London 2010, and the Hearts4X event in June 2013.  A big thank you to Gus & Reem and the fabulous 4X team!

Follow the 4X Teams Silk4x Journey on their Twitter