Neurology charity Headway Suffolk will celebrate the achievements of people with a brain injury, stroke or a neurological condition in the county at its Awards Dinner on Thursday 5 December.
Every year, Headway Suffolk formally recognises significant progress made by three of its service users in their recovery over the past 12 months at its annual dinner, which again is being held at Shelley’s Restaurant, Suffolk New College in Ipswich, starting at 6.30pm.
On the evening, three individuals selected by Headway’s staff rehab team will receive an award:
- Gary Smith, 60, from Felixstowe. Gary suffered a stroke in January 2017 at the age of 58, which has left him with left-sided weakness and speech difficulties.
- Adam Smith, 40, from Woodbridge. Adam has improved his social skills and confidence, and made great strides with his fitness and mobility, after a hypoxic brain injury (a lack of oxygen) at the age of 36 led to memory loss and other complications.
- Alan Moore, 68, from Badwell Ash, near Bury St Edmunds. Alan suffered a stroke at the age of 54, which has left him with speech and mobility difficulties.
David Crane, the charity’s communications and marketing officer, said: “The Awards Dinner is a great way of honouring the huge strides and milestones Gary, Adam and Alan have all made throughout the year in front of their family and friends and Headway supporters.
“Each person’s journey is different and every positive step someone makes in their recovery helps them to progress and live a more fulfilling and independent life.”
Last year, Ruby Alston and Amy Cowley were two award winners, and they have encouraged people to attend the Awards Dinner to hear of inspirational stories likes theirs.
Ruby, aged 46 from Felixstowe, sustained a brain injury in a road traffic accident when she was 19. She said: “I was very surprised to receive the award. It made me feel what I am doing is worth it. The Awards Dinner shows what Headway does and what people can achieve after brain injury.”
Amy, aged 38 from Felsham, near Bury St Edmunds, sustained a brain injury in a road traffic accident when she was just 18 months old. She said: “It was nice to be recognised by the Headway staff and the charity. The Awards Dinner is a really nice evening and I would recommend it for people to see for themselves the achievements people with brain injuries have made.”
The Awards Dinner costs £50 and guests will enjoy three fantastic courses from a Christmas menu. Tickets are available by calling 01473 712225 or by email [email protected].
The event is being kindly sponsored by Fosters Solicitors, one of East Anglia’s leading law firms with offices based in Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft. They offer a full range of integrated services to businesses and individuals, and have experts specialising in personal injury law, among many others.
Steve Green, Head of Personal Injury at Fosters, said: “We are delighted to sponsor this Awards Dinner which recognises the milestones achieved by Headway Suffolk`s service users as they endeavour to regain old skills and learn new ones.
“We regularly see the progress our own clients make as they come to terms with the effects of a head injury and are often humbled by the sheer determination they show in trying to help themselves recover from life-changing injuries.”
Headway Suffolk helps adults with a brain injury, stroke or a neurological condition through an extensive range of rehabilitation, therapy and support services.
In Suffolk, there were 3,201 admissions to hospital with acquired brain injury in 2016-17. That is 8.7 admissions per day. Of the total admissions, 1,318 were due to a head injury, 1,215 stroke and 421 tumour.