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.

Friday Fundraiser - Eleanor Broad

Summer Coffee Mornings and Cakes Sales

Photo from Eleanor's Coffee Morning 

To continue on with our 'Friday Fundraiser' feature, the Child Brain Injury Trust would like to thank sixteen year old Eleanor Broad who recently held a coffee morning in her home city of East Lothian and managed to raise an amazing £387. 

Eleanor sustained a traumatic brain injury from a horse riding accident a few years ago and the Child Brain Injury Trust were able to support Eleanor and her family. It is wonderful to hear Eleanor wanted to give something back to help families faced with a similar situation. Thank you Eleanor. 

Our Friday Fundraiser blog is our way of saying thank you, but it is also a chance for our fundraisers to tell you in their own words why they chose to support us; so here is Eleanor's story. 

“After I suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2009, my family and I received a wealth of well needed advice and support from the Child Brain Injury Trust. I was motivated to fundraise for them to help them continue their great work and also as a way of saying “thank you” for the help my family and I received. It is extremely rewarding knowing the money I have raised is going to a be used to help other children and their families just like mine.”

If Eleanor has inspired you to hold your own coffee morning this summer, then please contact Emily Honey for more information. As you can see it is a wonderful way to bring together family, friends, neighbours and the whole community if you wish.

Once again a huge thank you to Eleanor for her support.

Posted by Emily Honey, Fundraising Assistant.

Another Successful Parent and Carer's Pamper Day in Northern Ireland

This year our Northern Ireland Parent and Carer's Pamper Day was organised by our new member of staff, Gayle Baird. The event was held at the Hilton Hotel and Country Club in Templepatrick; 15 of our parents and carers from the surrounding areas attended for a relaxing day of spa treatments and use of the hotel's facilities.

All were able to make use of the Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and swimming pool at the hotel. On top of this each parent was entitled to a treatment at the spa. The most popular treatments were an aromatherapy back massage – popular with the dads - while most mums went for a body scrub treatment. According to those who attended, the body scrub treatment left people smelling of roses. The treatment's were such a success one of the parent's remarked that afterwards she had the best nights sleep in years.

All parents also attended a lunch with Gayle and Gillian, our Child and Family Support Coordinator in the area. We would like to thank those parents who came along, as it was such a successful day, and we have had some really positive feedback. One parent mentioned it was not only a relaxing day, but also a good chance to meet and talk to other parents.

During the lunch our staff received a special surprise as Joanne Regan presented them with a £1000 cheque. Joanne cycle from the most northerly point of Ireland to the most southerly point, Mizen Head, Cork. Congratulations and thank you to Joanne for her recent fundraising.

Cheque Presentation with Gillian and Gayle

If you would like any more information of events in the Northern Ireland area, please do not hesitate to contact Gayle Baird.

Thank you to our Northern Ireland team and to the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick.

Posted by Emily Honey, Fundraising Assistant.

Brain injury families need strong network of support - Belfast Telegraph Article

The brain controls who we are, what we think, feel and do. It's a little-known fact that, through accident or illness, an estimated one in 30 children and young people in the UK will sustain a brain injury each year. As the injury happens after birth, we call it an acquired brain injury (ABI).

Thankfully, most will make a great physical recovery; they will be discharged from hospital and, eventually, return to school. Life kind of gets back to normal.

Over time, however, there may be some changes in personality and/or behaviour that might be of concern. They may look perfectly fine, but it's obvious that all is not okay.

The full effects of the brain injury may not be known for some time, perhaps even years after the event. This is because the young person's brain is still developing.

Did you know that your brain continues to develop until you are well into your early twenties? It's the not knowing that is hardest for most parents we work with.

Often, it is increasing demands of being at secondary school that brings issues to light. For those with an ABI, it can be very difficult indeed.

A young person with an ABI may often tire more easily, leading to problems with concentration and taking instructions.

There can also be issues with memory, where a child can remember information they learnt prior to brain injury, but then struggle to take on new information.

This can be incredibly frustrating for the young person and confusing for their teachers and family.

Sometimes, changes in personality can also take place; essentially, friends and family have to get to know a slightly different person.

Part of the support the Child Brain Injury Trust provides helps children and young people maintain friends and explains to peers what happens when you have an acquired brain injury.

It's important to say that every child is different; there is no textbook to explain how to deal with someone who has an ABI.

How and where the injury takes place in the brain has a lot to do with it too, so the nature of the damage may vary.

Your skull is only about as thick as three pennies stacked on top of each other, so even if the skull is not fractured, the brain can be jarred, potentially damaging our internal 'wiring'.

When a child returns to school and these non-medical issues arise, it can be hard for parents to know what to do. This is where the Child Brain Injury Trust can help.

We can supply information, support and training to anyone affected by childhood-acquired brain injury. This includes the child, or young person, themselves, their family and the professionals who support them.

We produce factsheets and publications and also offer training workshops and masterclass lectures.

There are events and activities for families to take part in and through our Give a Child a Chance small grants scheme, we can purchase equipment to help children.

Individual family support is delivered through our team of regional child and family support co-ordinators (there are two covering Northern Ireland).

Of course, all the work we do is only possible through the generosity of supporters and we are fortunate in Northern Ireland to receive some funding from the health and social care boards.

However, we want to be able to expand our services, so that we are able to reach more families, offer more events and increase the number of activities to the families we support.

In order to do this, we need your help. If you are interested in doing something for charity, whether it's big or small, why not do it for the Child Brain Injury Trust?

Lisa Turan is chief executive of the Child Brain Injury Trust www.childbraininjurytrust.org.uk.

This article was published in the Belfast Telegraph on Thursday 20th June 2013.