No bridge too far for charity walkers

More than 100 supporters, members and volunteers of Headway - the brain injury association donned their walking boots on Sunday 16 May to walk across London’s ten most iconic bridges to mark the start of Action for Brain Injury Week.

The walkers, many of whom are living with the long-term effects of brain injury, were led by actor John Alderton, a patron of Headway East London, on the 6.2 mile route over some of the capital’s best-loved bridges. The walk brought together the six Headway groups and branches that cover the capital.

John said: “Headway is a wonderful charity that deserves to be supported. It allows people with acquired brain injuries to come together and, with helpers providing support, create their own unique community.

“It is great to see the six London Headways come together for The London Bridges Walk as not only does it help raise much-needed funds, but also helps to increase awareness of brain injury.

“I was honoured to be asked to be a small part of the day.”

Miriam Lantsbury, Chief Executive of Headway East London said: “It was a privilege to be able to organise this event on behalf of all the Headway groups in London. Although the sun was not to be seen, there was a good measure of enthusiasm and, for some people with brain injury, completing the walk was a real personal challenge. Just getting out on the streets of London helped to raise the profile of Headway and we hope to make this an annual event”.

The walk marked the start of Action for Brain Injury Week, Headway’s annual awareness-raising week. During the week, the charity will be highlighting the dangers of ignoring seemingly innocuous blows to the head and campaigning for better information to be given to minor head injury patients when they leave A&E.