Brooking No Obstacles
The Charlie Bayne Travel Trust’s lasting gift of empowerment
Cambridge alumni Dobrik Georgiev, Mahdeia Hidary, and Martin Duffy reflect on their unique opportunities created by Charlie’s inspiring example.
Charlie Bayne (Trinity 1985) was a thoughtful, eloquent and adventurous young man whose sudden and dramatic injury at the age of just 18 changed nothing about his personal qualities—but motivated him to encourage and enable others to make the most of their lives.
According to the Trust’s Just Giving page, ‘Charlie Bayne (1965–90) ... spent four years as an undergraduate at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1985–89. Paralysed from the shoulders downwards, he was looked after during that time by a series of volunteer carers. Charlie was an enthusiastic traveller. During his time at Cambridge, he made many journeys both within the British Isles—to the north of Scotland and the west of Ireland—and further afield, reaching as far as Warsaw, St Petersburg and the southern United States. His carers or other friends went with him.
Charlie gained great satisfaction and a sense of freedom from these travels that enriched his mind. Charlie died in July 1990. The Travel Trust has been created, from money he himself earned, to help other disabled students at Cambridge enjoy the same sort of experiences as he did. The fund has also benefited from donations given by family and friends in memory of Dominique Oliver (1978–1999), who herself was a recipient of a travel grant from the Trust in 1997, which she used to fund a trip to Italy.’
A legacy of courage and curiosity: empowering travel for disabled students
The fund can cover extra disability-related costs for current undergraduate or postgraduate students travelling in the UK or abroad, including travel expenses for the student and a carer, and indirect costs such as equipment. It’s open to students with physical disabilities and sensory impairments, with wheelchair users earmarked as the principal beneficiaries. The travel must be broadly educational, involve voluntary charitable activities, and/or enhance international understanding.
We caught up with three recipients of Charlie Bayne Travel Trust (CBTT) funding to find out how they are building on Charlie’s multifaceted legacy to spread their wings and travel regardless of obstacles.
Dobrik Georgiev (Fitzwilliam 2016)
An important conference and a long-haul adventure
Dobrik's PhD research on Neural algorithmic reasoning in a bottle(neck) led to an invitation to present a paper at the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference in Seattle, USA in 2024. With AI conferences more popular than ever, massive attendance numbers require the large venues located in North America, which translates to significantly increased travel expenses over European destinations.
As Dobrik explains in his post-trip report to the Trust:
"Computer vision is a topic not often related to my area of research. However, this time I was exceptionally lucky. First, this year there was a multimodal algorithmic reasoning workshop organised, which aimed at bridging my area of research and the multimodal reasoning/cognitive models. Second, my work was not only one of the accepted workshop papers but also selected among the top 3. Apart from being a great honour, this required me to give a short oral presentation."
Dobrik’s travel plans were in progress when he found out about the CBTT through the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre. A wheelchair user due to a complex set of health issues, including cerebral paralysis, Dobrik needs to travel with his father, who is his full-time carer.
Dobrik says, "The funding was very helpful in managing my costs, which my PhD travel points couldn’t stretch to cover. I would have had to use my own personal savings to attend and take up this exciting chance to present my work. The conference was so useful for making vital research connections and extending my professional network."
It wasn’t purely academic: Dobrik and his father found time for recreation and tourism, taking in Seattle’s famous aquarium and space needle.
"My father and I were so appreciative of the support provided by the Trust. I was grateful for the opportunity to present my work at the multimodal algorithmic reasoning workshop."
Dobrik Georgiev in Seattle for the 2024 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference
Dobrik Georgiev in Seattle for the 2024 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference
Dobrik presenting his paper at the 2024 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference
Dobrik presenting his paper at the 2024 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference
Dobrik chatting to a delegate at the 2024 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference
Dobrik chatting to a delegate at the 2024 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference
Dobrik and his father in Seattle
Dobrik and his father in Seattle
Mahdeia Hidary in rural Spain
Mahdeia Hidary in rural Spain
Mahdeia Hidary (Fitzwilliam 2022)
Fulfilling and enjoying her degree requirements
Mahdeia spent six weeks in rural Spain completing a mapping project for her earth sciences degree, but was also delighted to indulge her hobbies of astronomy and Spanish language. In her report to the Trust, she says:
"We conducted fieldwork in pairs, making observations and collecting data to produce a geological map of a 15 km2 area across 30 field days. It allowed me to appreciate how fundamental geology is to our lives.... The project has convinced me to study geoengineering, where I can use my interest and knowledge of geology to improve infrastructure and people’s quality of life.
"I would stargaze regularly, trying to tick off as many deep sky objects and constellations as possible.... It was mesmerising to watch 20-50 meteors strike across the star-saturated night sky during the Perseid meteor shower and to go on a walk illuminated by the harvest moon.... I don’t think I will ever get the opportunity to live for six weeks under such skies again in my life, so I will cherish it.
"I studied Spanish GCSE, and I used this trip to speak Spanish to anyone willing to listen!"
When Mahdeia was 15, she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, which severely impacts her energy and immune system and limits her ability to take on physical challenges like the hours of standing and walking involved in her geology field trip.
She told us, “The geology mapping project was very physically intense, and I was unsure if I was going to make it through. I knew I had to have a proper plan in place."
A key element of the plan? The use of a car and money for petrol. This is where the CBTT stepped in.
Being able to access a car saved Mahdeia around two hours of walking per day, to and from the site, which meant she was able to save her valuable energy for the mapping work.
Mahdeia reflects: "I needed to go on a geology project field trip to complete my degree.
"I could have taken a step back because of my physical limitations, but I wanted to have the same amazing experience as everyone else. I would have funded the car myself if I hadn’t had help from the CBTT, but that would have seen all my savings go into the trip. I was really grateful for the Trust’s help."
The experience of the field trip affected Mahdeia far beyond academic fulfilment and the enjoyment of a new landscape and culture:
"It was a pivotal moment of my life in multiple ways. I was the most physically active and the healthiest I've ever been in my life, the most in tune with my body, and mentally the happiest I've been in a very long time.
"Along with any autoimmune disease diagnosis comes a long list of complications, but being outside in the countryside every day with my friends was very healing. And I realised that I need to be more active than not. My condition brings chronic pain, especially to my gut and my lower back. When I have that low level of pain, I don't want to eat, and if you don't eat, you have no energy. But when I was in Spain, the aches and pains were from physical exertion instead, and I had an appetite because I needed the energy. Since that trip, I have changed that in my life: staying more active and feeling much better and more energetic.”
Mahdeia was eager to add a final thought about the Trust:
"I manage my limitations in life so I don’t inconvenience anyone. I make myself fit in. But in my interview, the Trustees said: ‘We understand that you might have some limitations. What can we do together?’
"It was their compassion that struck me—that someone was registering, ‘You must be stressed and struggling physically, but you are powering through because you have to. You have no choice. We're not going to be able to change that. But what can we do around it instead?’
“It was wonderful. So, if my story can help spread the word about the Trust, I will be very happy."
Martin Duffy
(ICE, Diploma in Non-Fiction Creative Writing)
The chance to learn from the best at summer school
Martin very much agrees with Mahdeia:
"Amongst the interview panel, not only were there officials from the disability unit at Cambridge, but there also were Charlie’s two brothers. And that was wonderful and a very moving experience."
A brain injury as a teenager left Martin with some cognitive disabilities, such as with sight and hearing, as well as the effects of PTSD. The Trust’s support with travel costs helped him to participate and deliver a paper at the annual summer school of the Institute of Historical Research on the topic of ‘Rivers’ at the School of Advanced Studies of the University of London, one of the leading forums for historical studies in the UK.
He reflects: “Charlie was a very exotic traveller himself. Now my travels were not so exotic, but sometimes you don't have to physically travel a long way to have an interesting journey. Attending this summer school on rivers was a big opportunity for me. It involved looking in a multidisciplinary way at a single subject: historical, political, sociological, geographical, topographical, economic, and commercial. We had the best of the expertise at the Institute fleshing out the topic.
"As a postgraduate researcher, being able to give a paper at such a prestigious institute has been a big benefit to me. It's good for my CV and for my self-esteem, and it introduced me to the Institute. Sometimes you forget, particularly if you're already part of a fine university, that there are such centres of excellence elsewhere too.
"The funding from the CBTT was a big help. It made the difference between having to be more out of pocket than not. So that was wonderful and helped me to make the most of the experience."
From Martin’s report to the Trust:
"The theme for 2024, 'Rivers', would have appealed to Charlie as he...was an amazing adventurer. He would also have appreciated the spirit of improving community relations, which is intended by the composition of my paper. Charlie stood for international understanding, and he learned much about the need for a peaceful world in his own travels."
Martin Duffy at the University of London
Martin Duffy at the University of London
Part of the Queenhithe Dock Mosaic (2011-2014)
Part of the Queenhithe Dock Mosaic (2011-2014)
Bringing Charlie’s passion and spirit to a new generation
And what inspires donors to the CBTT? It’s clear from just two quotes that donors as well as recipients have been moved and impacted by the remarkable young man who started it all:
"Charlie continues to remain an inspiration to us all. His true spirit of adventure continues with this Travel Trust. "
"The wonderful travels funded by this trust make a really fitting memorial to Charlie."
Unique and imaginative alumni like Charlie make such an impact, from their stories that engage and inspire to the opportunities they create to empower others to engage with the world around them. All these stories are woven into the fabric of the Collegiate University, enriching our narrative and changing lives, now and tomorrow.
A talented writer, Charlie chronicled his adventures before and after his accident, and these were collected in 'A Travelling Man: The Diaries and Other Writings of Charlie Bayne'.
All royalties from the book's sales benefit his Travel Trust.
If you would like to learn more about funding for Cambridge students from the Charlie Bayne Travel Trust, including how to apply for support, please visit the Accessibility and Disability Services website.
Built with Shorthand