When I set up the Bude group late 2015 barely anyone in the community had heard of the charity. In 2016 I undertook a sponsored slim with the aim to raise money but almost as importantly raise the profile of the work of Animal Free Research UK (then the Dr Hadwen Trust). 10 years prior to this in 2006 I walked from Penzance to Falmouth in 5 days on the coastal path raising money for the charity. In 2026 I am going to revisit that walk but this time cover the distance in the same number of days closer to home. I am 20 years older with a heart condition which causes Atrial Fibrillation, and I take blood thinners. I decided that walking from my home would allow me to undertake the same distance, in the same timeframe but with some sensible flexibility in the day. The distance is exactly 100km and I will walk it over 5 days. The challenge isn't the 20km in a day, its 20km in a day EVERY day for 5 consecutive days, oh and the training I'll need to do to get 'match fit'!

The Bude group work closely with Professor Lorna Harries at The University of Exeter and money raised supports projects there. However, for this personal challenge I am choosing a research project exploring the connection between dementia and abnormal heart rhythm undertaken by Dr Adjanie Patabendige at the University of Derby as this is so personally relevant to me. In 2016 I raised money specifically for heart disease in memory of my father and sadly my brother passed away in 2024 also with heart disease. Both experienced Atrial Fibrillation too.

Dr Patabendige explains “Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder, which causes irregular and often rapid heartbeat. In people aged over 55 years, atrial fibrillation is projected to double over the next two decades due to an ageing population. Atrial fibrillation also affects the blood supply to the brain. This increases the risk of developing stroke (blocking the blood supply to the brain) and dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills due to damaged brain cells). My research expertise is on the “blood-brain barrier”, which protects the brain by forming a tight physiological barrier between the blood and the brain. Recent studies in atrial fibrillation patients with cognitive decline have found certain molecules that are not commonly found in blood. This indicates a disrupted blood-brain barrier. However, investigating these mechanisms in humans is very difficult. Therefore, there is a huge reliance on animals such as rats, mice, dogs and horses. To replace the use of animals, we are developing a fully humanised model of brain blood vessels using human brain cells and patient ECGs (recordings of heart's rhythm and electrical activity). This model can mimic abnormal blood flow in patients with atrial fibrillation, identical to blood being pumped by the heart. This allows us to study the effects of atrial fibrillation on the blood-brain barrier. In the longer term, this will ultimately provide targets to guide the development of treatments to protect the brain in atrial fibrillation and reduce the reliance on animal experiments in the future.

Steph Jones-Giles and the Bude supporter group have campaigned and raised vital funds to support research on animal replacement technologies for many years. I was truly moved to hear that Steph is planning to do a sponsored walk to raise awareness and funds to support our research on atrial fibrillation. Our continued efforts to develop a human alternative to animal models in this area of research is mainly possible due to amazing fundraisers that support Animal Free Research UK. Steph, I wish you all the best! Thank you for supporting our research.”

I hope you will feel able to support me as I support this vital research.

Thank you

Stephx

Animal Free Research UK

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