81-year-old co-founder embarks on a 25-mile walk from Leith to Tantallon Castle East Lothian, to celebrate the charity’s anniversary and raise £50,000 for neurodivergent children and families
Edinburgh, Scotland. On Saturday, 02 August 2025, Robin Dow, co-founder of the Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom), will once again embrace his experience as a marathon enthusiast for a deeply personal and inspiring fundraising event to commemorate 25 years to the day since he and journalist and author – and Robin’s wife – Sophie Dow, founded the charity.
At 81 years old and recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, Robin will walk 25 miles (40 km) from Mindroom’s office in Leith to the dramatic cliffs of Tantallon Castle, East Lothian – a symbolic and powerful act to raise much-needed funds to support the charity he co-founded with Sophie in 2000, inspired by their daughter Annie, who lives with a unique and rare chromosome deletion (now informally known as “Annie’s syndrome”).
“I’m incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful wife and four caring and considerate children: Fiona, James, Annie and our Charity, Mindroom. Sophie and I brought Mindroom into the world on 2nd August 2000. During the past 25 years, it has developed from an infant with unknown potential to a mature entity with a heart, a soul and a spirit which has positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of neurodivergent children, families and those who support them.
“Mindroom is now an adult, personified by an excellent team of Trustees, run by a multitalented and dedicated staff team and funded by a broad base of statutory, trust, corporate and individual donors. My 25-mile walk, taking place on the day that the Charity was founded, is my thank you to everyone who has contributed to the upbringing of this amazing organisation.
“Advancing years and the big C mean that this is my last major endeavour on behalf of Mindroom and those whom we help. Please show your support by donating to a fundamentally important cause, while also spurring me on as I walk 1 mile for each of the 25 years of the life of Mindroom. And let’s hear it for the next 25!”
Robin Dow
It seems a long time ago that Robin and Sophie sat at their kitchen table in Inveresk (East Lothian) and registered Mindroom with one vision: No Mind Left Behind. A quarter of a century later, that vision has flourished into an influential organisation now supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families across Scotland and beyond.
An Epic Walk
Robin will set off from the Mindroom office at exactly 08:02am on 02 August (a nod to the official birthday of the charity) with the aim of reaching Tantallon Castle exactly 8 hours and 2 minutes later. He will be joined by family members, friends and supporters, and by Mindroom’s CEO, Alan Thornburrow, along the way.
The walk aims to raise a bold £50,000 – that’s £25,000 for each co-founder, another nod to the history of the charity, and they are well on the way to achieving their goal, thanks to some initial generous donations. Every donation will help Mindroom provide direct, life-changing support to neurodivergent children and young people who often also face serious mental health challenges.
“Robin’s unwavering dedication towards Mindroom’s vision of making sure that no mind is left behind, is yet again expressed in his inspirational actions and initiative, this time in a 25 mile walk. Let’s walk with him – in spirit or in person – all the way!”
Sophie
“When I first met Robin and Sophie during the interview process to become CEO of Mindroom in December 2021, I was immediately taken with their passion, energy and vigour. I already knew Mindroom was a cause I wanted to work in service of, but I also knew this was a very special organisation whose co-founders were still so dedicated to realising the vision they set out with in 2000.
“Fast forward to the present day, our 25th anniversary, and Robin’s determination, courage and commitment are nothing short of remarkable. As fellow marathon runners, we both know what it is to suffer, but also to believe that we are capable and can overcome pain by continuing to move forward in pursuit of our goals. Robin’s walk is both inspiring and significant. How could I not take part!
“I’m honoured to be sharing some steps of the journey with him on his “Big Walk”, but even more so to have shared the last 3 years as CEO, working with two remarkable co-founders, an excellent Board and a highly respected and motivated team – and to continue working to address the fundamental injustice neurodivergent young people, adults and families face every day – we need your help!”
Alan
Mindroom also created some useful resources, which can be downloaded here:
- Mindroom 25: Anniversary Menu – 25 powerful ways your donation will help change lives.
- Mindroom 25: Introduction – A snapshot of the charity’s work, their impact, and the challenges faced by the 29 specialists who deliver support every day.
For donations to the charity and to sponsor Robin’s incredible initiative, please visit this link, including the opportunity to donate anonymously.
Every pound matters — no donation is too small, nor too substantial!
Mindroom and the work they do, please visit: Salvesen Mindroom Centre
