Brain injury charity to celebrate 20-year anniversary with fundraising bash

Feast: the charity held a gala in March as part of its 20-day campaign. Photograph: Headway East London

A brain injury charity in Haggerston is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this weekend with a free “Big Birthday Bash” – and everyone is welcome.

Headway East London has been supporting survivors for two decades, and has marked the occasion by setting itself a goal of raising £20,000 in just 20 days.

Saturday’s jamboree, which will feature live music, an art exhibition, food stalls, tours, talks and more, is deadline day for the campaign – with the total at time of writing sitting just a shade under the halfway mark at £9,692.

As part of the fundraising efforts, staff and survivors have hosted a gala dinner, taken on an obstacle course and held a sponsored silence.

Headway runs its services at a deficit – meaning it has to spend more money than it can bring in from fees alone.

Each year, the gap is made up through fundraising and the target for 2018 is almost £200,000.

The charity says successfully raising 10 per cent of the annual goal by Saturday will help with its plans to set up a public-facing enterprise and increase support for volunteers with brain injuries.

Volunteering veteran: Adrian Davies has been helping out for over 14 years. Photograph: Headway East London

One such volunteer, Adrian Davies, has been giving up two days a week to help out at Headway’s day centre for over 14 years.

Adrian, a former banker, suffered a brain injury in a motorcycle accident in 2001. He spends Mondays and Wednesdays socialising with other survivors and hosting activities.

He said: “I’ve watched Headway grow and grow and grow. I was there during the recession, which was tough, and now I’ve seen it turn a corner again.

“Even when times are tough the feeling on the floor is still the same though. It’s an upbeat and happy-go-lucky place, always looking forward.”

Adrian added: “Headway isn’t work because I’m with friends, and not only do I volunteer here, I also donate monthly, so I effectively pay to come!

“Every person here is someone I want to spend my time with. When I get home and think about my day, whatever I’ve been doing it has always been fun.”

Headway’s chief executive Anthony Bonfil invited people to come along to the birthday bash.

He said: “People who come into contact with Headway East London often comment on its ‘specialness’ – that’s because it is a special place, where everyone is valued and offered opportunities to thrive and feel fulfilled.

“Please join us in celebrating this landmark moment in our history as we embark on the next 20 years, supporting even more brain injury survivors and their families.”

Headway’s Big Birthday Bash will take place from 1pm to 7pm on Saturday 24 March at the charity’s day centre at Timber Wharf Block B, 238-240 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AX.

For more information about the event, please visit Headway’s website here

If you’d like to donate, please visit the charity’s fundraising page here