Friday Fundraiser - Great North Run Team

A couple of months ago we wished our team of Great North Runners from JMW the best of luck in their fundraising, and as a follow up we have decided to look at the whole of our Great North Run team to see how they are getting on with only two days until race day.

The Child Brain Injury Trust Great North Run Team comprises of four members from JMW Solicitors and Gillian Brown, a partner from Morisons LLP. Both law firms are members of our Legal Services Directory, and it has been a pleasure working with them over the past few months in the lead up to the Great North Run.

So far our runners have managed to raise over £1500 and there is still more to come in; so please help support their hard work and visit their fundraising pages. Click here for Gillian's and here for team JMW.

Over the years the Great North Run has become one of the most iconic races in the United Kingdom after the London Marathon. The half marathon route set in Newcastle follows out to South Shields and goes across the Tyne Bridge.

We know our runners have worked very hard training and fundraising for the event and would like to wish them all the best of luck for Sunday. I am sure you will all join us in tuning in to BBC One from 9.30am to watch out for them. One runner is going the extra mile and wearing a Cookie Monster outfit, so we expect he won't be easy to miss.

If you think you would like to be part of the Great North Run and raise money for the Child Brain Injury Trust next year, then please contact our Fundraising Coordinator.

Posted by Emily Honey, Fundraising Coordinator.

Road Safety in the News

Thousands Of Pupils Hurt On Roads Near Schools

Recent statistics from Axa Car Insurance and the research body Road Safety Analysis showed:

• There were 85,814 child casualties on roads in a 500-metre radius around UK schools between 2006 and 2011, the equivalent of 1,190 a month.
• There were 557,200 vehicle collisions around schools during the six-year period, the equivalent of six collisions per school per year on average (including any incident reported to police involving any vehicle on a local road. Some did not result in injuries.)
• The top area for collisions was London (13% of total child casualties and 22% of collisions).
• Among cities with more than 100 schools, excluding London, Liverpool had the highest number of road injuries (deaths, serious injuries and slight injuries) around schools, followed by Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham and Leicester.

The figures include collisions during school holidays, and the child casualty numbers do not necessarily refer to pupils at that particular school.

Road Safety Analysis director Dan Campsall said, "Translating this wealth of data into something that is meaningful for parents, teachers and community leaders has its challenges. However, it is important that these groups are able to understand the immediate road risks around their local schools if they are going to work effectively to secure safer communities for children in the future."

The Child Brain Injury Trust couldn't agree more.  We welcome any data that can help us plan how to keep children and young people safer on the roads.  We will be launching a road safety campaign in Autumn so watch this space!

Beth uses an egg chamber to demonstrate
the importance of seatbelts.

Our Road Safety Work

This week, our Scottish team attended West Drive, a Police Scotland event in Livingston aimed at 16 and 17 year old school pupils, designed to help them make better choices when driving or travelling as passengers in cars.   As always, we were delighted to have the opportunity to share our message about keeping your brain safe, in particular emphasising the importance of everybody in a vehicle wearing a seatbelt.

If you're interested in someone from the Child Brain Injury Trust attending your community event, please email us at info@cbituk.org.




Posted by Claire, Scottish Regional Fundraiser
Via skynews.com: http://news.sky.com/story/1134895/thousands-of-pupils-hurt-on-roads-near-schools

Wild day out at the Safari Park!



Scottish Family Day Success

Digby Brown staff with the balloons!

Almost 100 people attended our annual family day out BBQ at Blair Drummond Safari Park this year.  This is fast becoming the highlight of our year here at the Child Brain Injury Trust's Scottish project; a day that families look forward to as it means meeting up with old friends and making new ones, and having a fun and relaxing day out.  

These days are so important to those we support since a family coping with a brain injury may also be faced with financial difficulties and with the ignorance of the general public who may not understand the behaviour of a child with a brain injury.

We couldn’t offer these days without the support of Digby Brown and we are extremely grateful to them for it.  This year we also had some fabulous – and very popular! – balloons to give away in addition to the usual BBQ lunch.  Our youth group leader, Jim, had organised a circus skills workshop which proved to be a great success.  And the weather was good to us once again.  All in all another great day! 

Modo were on hand to teach some circus skills!

Feedback we received included:

• Thank you for a fantastic day at the safari park, the kids had a ball and all now want to join the circus lol xxx
• Had a fab day at the safari park on Friday. Thanks to CBIT and Digby Brown for pulling it all together. Kids loved their circus training and food and balloon, not to mention seeing all the animals. Xx
• A very hospitable gathering with other people in less adverse circumstances willing to lend an ear and offering support.  Lovely food in a carefree environment.  Refreshingly different!  THANKS!
• First time coming along to BBQ.  Kids have had a fantastic time, was good to meet with Jim also to get information.  Didn’t expect so much and all free!  Amazing.  Thank you.  
• Fun day.  I love the balloons as always and is always a good day.

Families coping after a child has a brain injury may self refer to receive our support, simply call our helpline on 0303 303 2248 or email helpline@cbituk.org.  You can also join the other families we support around the UK on our Facebook page.  If you are interested in fundraising for the Scottish project, please contact Claire via clairemurray@cbituk.org.

Friday Fundraiser - Our very own ‘Iron Man’

Today's Friday Fundraiser is our very own charity trustee Andy Caudell. This week we have chosen to highlight Andy as he has just completed a fantastic feat of physical challenge, by competing in an half iron man distance triathlon.

Triathlon races are very popular now and all sorts of people are taking part. Not many people are brave, or fit, enough to take on the 70.3 miles that make up a half iron man though. That's a 1.2 mile open water swim to start with, then a 56 mile bike ride followed by a 13.1 mile run!

We’d like to say huge congratulations to Andy on completing the challenge, and thank him for all the hard work and training he put in. We would also like to thank all the people who sponsored Andy, he has raised nearly £800 in sponsorship so far. Our thanks go to all of these individuals for choosing to support families affected by childhood brain injury.

If you would like show your support to Andy and the Child Brain Injury Trust you can visit his Just Giving page.

Andy’s challenge took place at the Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester in Gloucestershire. Entering the chilly lake water at 6.50am, Andy spent the next few hours swimming, cycling and running before crossing the finish line just after lunch.

Our Community Fundraiser, Andrew Tee, was lucky enough to go along and cheer Andy on during the run stage of the race; "it was a truly inspirational event. There were people of all abilities taking part, and an enthusiastic crowd cheered every last one of them across the line." 

Andy Caudell joined the Child Brain Injury Trust as a Trustee in 2012, and since then he has been an active supporter, and continues to lead by example.

“I feel duty-bound, as a proud Trustee of this wonderful organisation, to do anything that I can that raises funds and highlights the very important role the Child Brain Injury Trust can play in easing the challenges ahead for those families we support.”

Andy’s fundraising is an exciting way to support the charity and continue to raise awareness in the future. Please help us to spread the word and visit our website for more information on our services and forthcoming events.

If you would like to take on a challenge to support us, or would like to talk about other less extreme fundraising events, get in touch NOW.

Buckle Up!

Thoughts on wearing a safety helmet from our Community Fundraiser, Andrew Tee.

I read a post on Facebook this week from an old school friend that really made me think. I’d like to share with you what my friend Hilary said:

“Have just driven by a young lady riding a horse on a busy main road with the strap to her riding hat flapping in the wind!!! Many a Saturday morning as a young girl was spent in my dads' office where he kept the crash helmets and riding hats of head injury patients. Each of them told a story and thankfully most had a happy ending. These helmets/hats are designed for a reason, to save lives but only if worn properly so DO UP THE STRAPS!!!!”

Hilary’s dad worked for years as a brain surgeon in Oxford. He spent his career dealing with people who had sustained head injuries from accidents and falls. He himself cycled daily into work for many years, “My dad used to cycle to work wearing an ice hockey helmet, he looked like a bit of an idiot but it saved his life at least once when he was knocked off!” said Hilary.

I responded to this message with my own tale of the week, seeing a young man riding through the centre of Oxford, a famously busy and quite dangerous place to cycle, holding his cycle helmet in his teeth by the strap!

It seems crazy that people will go to the trouble of buying a helmet, but don’t bother using it properly. Wearing a helmet that is not properly fitted or fastened is as good as not wearing it at all.
I think people underestimate how much of a difference wearing a helmet properly can make if you have an accident on your bike, fall off a horse, or get things wrong in the skate park. I have had several lucky escapes from head injury, and every time it has been a safety helmet that has saved me from injury.
I have spent years cycling into work and have had a couple of notable occasions where I’ve taken a trip across the bonnet of a car. Both times I landed head first onto the road, and both times my helmet took the force of impact. Both times it was properly fitted, and most importantly it was securely fastened by the strap!
If you’re going to be cycling, horse riding, skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding, it’s really important that you take proper care of your head and wear a good quality helmet that is properly fitted. I know kids don’t think it’s cool to wear a helmet, but we must remind them that’s it’s even less cool to end up needing the services of someone like my friend Hilary’s dad!

For information on the correct sizing and fitting of cycle helmets, have a look at the links and image below:
http://www.bhit.org/

Don’t forget, if you need a good quality cycle helmet you can support the charity by purchasing one from our eBay shop. The helmets are really good quality and we’re able to offer them at a reduced price, just for you! Click here to buy yours now.

If you’d like to talk about supporting the charity, please get in touch.

Soap Opera To Reveal The True Problems Surrounding Brain Injury

If you were one of the 7.6 million people in the UK who tuned in on Wednesday night (7th August) to see the aftermath of the terrible car crash involving brothers David and Nick, you will be aware that Nick was seriously injured.  Over the coming episodes, we will see Nick having an operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.  When he wakes up from the coma, we are led to believe that Nick will no longer be ‘Mr Nice Guy’.  The show’s producers have worked closely with brain injury charities to highlight some of the hidden aspects of a brain injury that can manifest themselves.  If the spoilers are true, Nick’s character will experience some major personality shifts seeing him become irrational, bad tempered and very angry.

‘So what!’ you may be saying.  This is a soap, it’s not real!! However, our experience in working with children who have suffered similar injuries tells us that this is a very REAL problem.

Many parents whose children have suffered a brain injury tell us that the hidden aspects of brain injury are very difficult to come to terms with.  A child may look exactly the same as they did before the injury happened but inside they can be very different.  This is extremely hard for family and friends to deal with as they struggle to get to know the new person that has emerged.  The child themselves can become frustrated as they don’t understand what has happened to them and what the future may hold.

What is important is that families who find themselves in this situation get help and expert advice as soon as possible to help them to support their child on the road to recovery.  The Child Brain Injury Trust Helpline provides this kind of support to hundreds of parents every year.  The Helpline is completely confidential and provides vital information and emotional support when it is needed most.  If you or anyone you know would like to call us, the Helpline is staffed between 9 and 5pm weekdays.  The number is 0303 303 2248.  We have an answering service for calls out of these hours.  Also, you can send an email to helpline@cbituk.org and we will get back to you promptly.

Friday Fundraiser - Team JMW

Today's Friday Fundraiser is Team JMW. This week we have chosen to highlight a team just starting out with their fundraising in an attempt to rally some support and to see if we can all get behind them. 

Team JMW is made up of Danielle Gibson, Anoushka Shepherd and Katie Nolan. They will all be running the Great North Run in September this year. The team all work for JMW Solicitors who are members of the Child Brain Injury Trust Legal Services Directory. 

The Great North Run is one of the most iconic and sought after races in the UK, those fortune enough to run have to also undertake the challenge of training for the half marathon. Now imagine you hold your school's record for the slowest 100 metre sprint, as one of these ladies does. I think it is time we rally round and give the team the support they deserve. 

We often celebrate the victory after the race, but I think it is important to encourage and remind everyone of all the hard work that takes place before race day. So today's blog is about celebrating all the work our fundraisers put in to train for events like the Great North Run. 

If you would like to support JMW, please visit their Just Giving page and make a donation. 

Or if you would like to be involved in next year's Great North Run team, or other fundraising opportunities with the Child Brain Injury Trust, then please contact our Fundraiser Coordinator, Emily Honey. 

Thank you to Danielle, Anoushka and Katie for all the hard work and training they have put in so far and best of luck for the coming months. We will all be supporting you! 

Posted by Emily Honey

Fundraising Coordinator

It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part.

Views from our Community Fundraising Officer – Andrew Tee

There comes a time in a man’s life when you think “I need to get fit before I get too old”! Well, that time is now. I know, I could not have picked a hotter time of year to start cycling into work and running in the evenings, but you have got to strike whilst the iron (and everything else) is blazing hot!

I, like lots of people, have had various dalliances with fitness over the years. I’m a classic example of the person who signs up for an event, gets fit, completes the event and then hangs up his running shoes for another season (or two!).

Well, this time it’s different. No, really it is, I promise. Having just started with the Child Brain Injury Trust 2 months ago as their Community Fundraiser for the South my job is all about motivating people to get involved with the charity, and taking on challenges to raise money.

I figured whilst I’m riding high on the wave of enthusiasm for this new role I might as well give myself some challenges too. So, not being one to do things by halves I have signed myself up for a muddy 10K assault course in October with a group of friends, and I have also said I’ll run the Rome marathon in March 2014 in support of the charity!

I’m a big believer in leading by example, even if it is leading from the back of the pack. Let’s get this straight, I’m no Mo Farah, but I’ll give it a good go. For me it really is like your mum used to tell you at sports day, “it’s not about winning, it’s about taking part”! 

So, how’s it going so far you ask? Well, I got to my first training milestone last night by completing a 10K run. I left my house at 7.00pm, and by 7.03pm I was thinking “what am I doing?” it was far too hot to be running. But I toughed it out and completed 10k in 1 hour 10 minutes, not the fastest I have ever run by any means, but still respectable.

You see it’s not about how far you run, or how fast you run, it’s about getting out there and just running. Or cycling, swimming, walking, whatever is your thing. With busy lives it’s too easy to find an excuse not to go to the gym, not to get your running shoes on and go for a quick run. But as soon as you get out there and do it, you remember why it makes you feel so good. 

I love running because it’s a great way to de-stress from a busy day. I don’t listen to music whilst I run, I don’t really think about anything whilst I run. I just plod along and clear my mind of everything apart from the road in front of me. And then when I get home I know I’m a little bit fitter and healthier than I was yesterday, and that is motivation enough to do it again tomorrow.

There are loads of motivational slogans about running, my favourite goes something like this “Don’t ask me why I run, ask yourself why you don’t”. If you feel motivated to get active and you’re looking for a challenge to work towards, or you’d like to talk about supporting the charity in a less strenuous way, please get in touch: andrewtee@cbituk.org 

Friday Fundraisers - Team British London 10K

As part of our 'Friday Fundraiser' blogging series this week we would like to thank team 9 Gough Square and Samantha Critchley for taking part in the British London 10K. 

Team 9 Gough Square before the race

Every other week we aim to provide you with an inspiring Friday Fundraiser, and this week will not disappoint. Our Friday Fundraisers are Samantha Critchley (Partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse, member of the Legal Services Directory), Jaime Brooks, James Tippey, Kirsten Sills and Joanna Smith (staff from 9 Gough Square barristers chambers). 

James Tippey nearing the finish line

The team took to the streets of London last Sunday and along with 25,000 others people to run in the British London 10K. Even with the current weather all members completed the race in good time. Well done to Jaime Brooks who finished first in 48 minutes 9 secs, closely followed by James Tippey, 31 secs behind him. Samantha Critchley completed the race in 57 minutes, Kirsten Sills finished in 1 hour 10 minutes, followed by Joanna Smith who finished in 1 hour 31 minutes. 

The British London 10K is an iconic race that takes its' runners through Trafalgar Square, past Somerset House and finishes near Downing Street. Not sure if our runners managed to take in many of the sites though. Never fear the Child Brain Injury Trust was there on the day cheering them on to the finish line. It was a great day, with everyone getting involved and cheering the runners on to the very end. 

The finish line

Together our runners have managed to raise over £1500. If you would like to show your support you can sponsor the team by following the link to Sam Critchley or team 9 Gough Square's page. 

We would like to thank all who sponsored the team and the runners themselves. Thank you for choosing to support families affected by childhood acquired brain injury. 

We try to get a team together every year for the British London 10K; if you think you might be interested please register your support now. Alternatively, we have lots of running events that might suit you, so please do not hesitate to contact us to find out more. 

Once again thank you to our Friday Fundraisers and well done!

Posted by Emily Honey, Fundraising Coordinator. 

The Friends of The Manor present £15,000 cheque

Andrew Tee and Rowan Knowles at the cheque presentation

For the past 12 months the Child Brain Injury Trust have been lucky enough to be the chosen charity of the year at the Manor Preparatory School in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The whole school has been involved in supporting the Charity by getting involved in all sorts of events. There has been a sponsored walk, a fabulous summer ball for the parents, and three members of the PE staff have just completed the 3 Peaks Challenge in well under 24 hours.

Our Community Fundraiser, Andrew Tee, was lucky enough to be invited to join the school for their special Leaver’s Assembly on Friday 5th July, where he was delighted to receive a cheque for £15,623.10 from The Friends of The Manor chairman Rowan Knowles. What a truly fantastic donation!

This figure represents the money raised by all of the events throughout the year. It would not have been possible though without the hard work and commitment of the school and The Friends of The Manor who have worked so brilliantly together to raise this fantastic sum.

Andrew was also privileged to be presented with a very special birthday card to mark the 21st birthday of the Child Brain Injury Trust. The card was designed by a year one pupil; she was there in person to present it on the day. Thank you Celeste for your fabulous card design (pictured left).

If you think this story is as fantastic as we do, why not suggest to your local school that they choose us as their charity of the year? It’s a fantastic way for children to learn about the importance of supporting charities and it is lots of fun too. If you’d like to talk about supporting the charity, please get in touch with our Community Fundraiser.