Headway supporters
We are privileged to have the help of several high-profile supporters who are keen to do all they can to help us raise awareness of brain injury.
James Cracknell, Vice President
On 20 July 2010, double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell sustained a severe traumatic brain injury while cycling through Arizona.
He was attempting to cycle, run, row and swim from Los Angeles and New York in just 16 days when the wing mirror of a petrol tanker travelling at 65mph struck the back of James's head.
James was rushed to hospital, while his wife Beverley, who was in Las Vegas at the time, received the dreaded phone call experienced by many families and loved one of those with brain injury.
Since that fateful day, James has gradually been rebuilding his life with incredible support from Beverley and their children. James and Beverley have bravely shared their experiences of brain injury on numerous occasions in the national press in order to help others affected, while their book Touching Distance remains one of the most moving, open and revealing testimonies available on the subject of brain injury.
Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC, Special Ambassador
On 18 March 2005, Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry was awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces.
While serving with the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in Iraq, Johnson twice saved members of his unit from ambushes, sustaining a serious brain injury in the latter engagement. Today, Johnson still suffers from the residual effects of his brain injury, including poor memory.
Johnson Beharry is now a Special Ambassador for Headway - the brain injury association. Johnson said: "The world is full of heroes who don't get any recognition, people who everyday face challenges in their lives - who learn to live again following brain injury or who care for loved ones who are injured."
In his role as Special Ambassador for Headway, Johnson has helped raise awareness of the effects of brain injury through numerous media interviews in which he has shared his personal testimony of how his own brain injury has affected his life and the lives of his loved ones. In addition, Johnson takes time out of his busy schedule to attend Headway events, including the Headway Annual Awards where he often presents deserving finalists with their honours.
Marc Almond
In 2004, legendary pop music maestro Marc Almond had a motorcycle accident that left him with multiple fractures and a brain injury. He was in a coma for two weeks and spent the next two years relearning lost skills, including singing.
To show his support to others who have experienced brain injury and to help Headway support those affected, Marc chose to donate to Headway £1 from every ticket sold on his 2015 The Velvet Trail UK tour. The charity was also boosted by promotion in the tour programme and numerous mentions in the national media.
Alex Danson-Bennett MBE
Alex Danson MBE is one of the finest hockey players Britain has ever produced and was credited as one of the hardest working and talented on the World Stage. Alex competed in 3 Olympics, 4 Commonwealth Games, 5 World Cups and 8 European Championships.
At Rio 2016 Alex was vice-captain of the GB women’s hockey team that made history by winning a Gold medal, the first time a GB women’s hockey team had ever become Olympic Champions. The Olympic final versus The Netherlands was watched live by over 9 million people on BBC TV.
She made her senior international debut at the age of just 16 whilst still at school, amassed 306 caps for her country, and scored a record equalling 115 goals over an international career spanning 18 years.
Alex was shortlisted for the FIH World Player of the Year 4 times, was Player of the Tournament at the 2015 European Championships, and was top scorer at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In 2017 she was made captain of GB and England.
Alex retired from international hockey in February 2019 after suffering a mild traumatic brain injury whilst on holiday with her Husband in Kenya. Her well documented injury has seen head injury protocols improved within elite sport and she is passionate about raising awareness and supporting others with similar injuries.
Eric Knowles
TV antiques expert Eric has been supporting Headway for almost two decades, helping to raise the profile of the charity.
Eric regularly volunteers his expertise to act at the charity's guest auctioneer at the Headway Annual Awards, using his wit and charm to generate invaluable funds to support the charity's work.
Tom Macleod
Sports journalist and Sky News presenter Tom is passionate about raising awareness of issues surrounding concussion in sport.
He is a firm supporter of Headway's 'If in doubt, sit it out!' campaign, helping to promote the charity's messaging in the national media. Tom has also freely given his time to support the charity by hosting the Annual Awards ceremony.
Ryan Mason
While playing for Hull City in a game against Chelsea in
2017, Ryan’s career was cut short after a clash of heads left him with a brain injury. After surgery and a period of rehabilitation, Ryan was forced to retire after doctors warned him that continuing to play would put his long-term health at risk.
Since then, Ryan has re-joined his beloved Spurs as a member of their coaching staff and is now inspiring a future generation of footballers as the academy coach for their Under-19s. He is a passionate supporter of Headway’s Concussion Aware campaign and has helped to raise awareness of this important issue through numerous media appearances.
Sam Peters
Sam Peters is a journalist and writer who has been credited with driving a change in attitudes towards head impacts and concussion in sport.
Whilst writing for the Mail on Sunday and The Times, Sam took the subject of concussion in rugby from a fringe topic to front page news. This was often at personal cost as he was pointing out an uncomfortable truth for rugby authorities. This phrase gave rise to the title of his book Concussed: Sports Uncomfortable Truth which shines a light on how sport’s ‘dirty secret’ was exposed.
Headway is proud to have made a small contribution to the book through an interview and quote from our Chief Executive Luke Griggs.
Sam’s determination to bring this topic into the public eye is commendable and was essential in helping us to get to where we are today in terms of awareness and understanding of concussion in sport.
Ben Price
When Coronation Street decided to feature a brain injury storyline, actor Ben Price - whose character Nick Tilsley was to sustain the injury - made it clear he wanted to thoroughly research what it means to live with such an injury.
Ben spent time with Headway Preston and Chorley, of which he is now Patron, meeting brain injury survivors and their families to get a better understanding. In addition to portraying brain injury with refreshing clarity and honesty on screen, Ben has also helped to raise awareness of brain injury and Headway in the national press through numerous interviews.
Actor Ben Price plays brain injured character Nick Tilsley in Coronation Street
Jack Rutter
Promising footballer Jack sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in an unprovoked assault while out with friends. He was just 18 at the time and was on the verge of signing his first professional contract, but his dreams of becoming a professional footballer were shattered. With the help of Headway, Jack began to rebuild his confidence and was introduced to disability football and in 2016 Jack captained the Paralympics GB seven-a-side football team in the Paralympic Games in Rio. Jack is a passionate supporter of Headway.
Alan Smith
Former England and Arsenal footballer, and now Sky Sports commentator, has been a supporter of Headway since joining James Cracknell as part of a Headway team taking on the Prudential RideLondon event in 2013.
Since then, Alan has continued to support the charity, taking part in Hats for Headway Day while ensuring safety-first messages are given in his commentaries when head injuries occur.
