Generous response following charity sports equipment theft

14 May 2020

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Local brain injury charity Headway Birmingham & Solihull has been ‘overwhelmed’ with the response to its appeal for help following the theft of its fishing and other sports equipment earlier this month.

Staff arriving for work at the charity’s brain injury centre in Chapel Rise, Rednal discovered the theft on Monday 4 May. Fishing gear, archery equipment and other kit used by the charity’s brain injured clients during their sports sessions had been stolen, and there was damage to the locked store as well.

The charity then launched its SOS – Save Our Sports online appeal to raise funds to replace the stolen equipment and ensure the continuation of its sports programme post coronavirus.

Sue Tyler, CEO at Headway Birmingham & Solihull, said: “We have been overwhelmed with people’s generosity since the theft.”

She confirmed they have had a grant of £1,500 pledged by the council, over £400 donated through their online giving page, and donations via the charity website, too. The Angling Trust, who helped Headway purchase the fishing gear in the first place, have circulated details of the theft throughout the wider fishing communities and the charity has since been contacted by many people offering to donate their spare equipment. Alvechurch Fisheries, the venue used by Headway for its fishing sessions in recent years, has also offered its support.

Sue added: “The response so far has been amazing and will go a long way in helping us resume our fishing sessions and other sporting activities once we can do so safely.”

She explained that some of their brain injured clients who participate in sports need specially adapted equipment due to their disabilities and so the money raised will help purchase this alongside the many donated items.

The charity is looking to re-open its brain injury centres at the earliest opportunity, but will continue providing welfare calls, doorstep visits and online information and sessions to ensure the health and wellbeing of its clients in the meantime.

Anyone wishing to support Headway’s Save Our Sports appeal can use this link http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/saveoursports while more information on the charity’s brain injury services can be found at www.headway-bs.org.uk .

 

 

Ends

Photographs: Headway clients enjoying a fishing session as part of the charity’s Sports & Wellbeing programme and a box of donated fishing equipment delivered to Headway’s brain injury centre in response to the appeal.

 

For more information

Contact Julie Wedgbury at Headway Birmingham & Solihull at julie.wedgbury@headway-bs.org.uk or 0121 457 7541.

 

About Headway Birmingham & Solihull

Headway Birmingham & Solihull is a registered charity helping to improve the lives of those affected by brain injury in the local area. Its aim is to promote greater understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provide information, support and services to the person with the acquired brain injury as well as their family and carers. For full information, visit www.headway-bs.org.uk .