John Caulfield wins the Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award 2025

The Headway Annual Awards is the biggest event in Headway’s calendar. It’s a day for celebrating the dedication, growth and outstanding achievements of brain injury survivors, carers, volunteers, and others in the Headway community across the United Kingdom.

Here we introduce to you the three inspirational finalists who were shortlisted for this category.

WINNER: John Caulfield – County Durham

John has cared for his son, John Junior, since 2004 when he sustained a traumatic brain injury at age 18 following a road traffic accident.

John and his wife Angela helped establish Headway County Durham, and since then, John has been a volunteer, committee member, trustee, and driving force behind the branch. He arranges and attends monthly drop-in sessions and advocates for survivors and their families.

He is also heavily involved in organising the Look Ahead in the North residential weekend at Calvert Trust, Northumberland, offering survivors and carers a chance to enjoy outdoor activities and workshops.

Nominator Warren Maxwell said:

Christine Wherrliss – Scunthorpe

Christine became a founding member of Headway Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire in 1998 after recognising the need for additional support for brain injury survivors, their families, and carers in the area.

Although she retired from her health role eight years ago, Chris continued to dedicate her time to the branch, using her occupational therapy skills to support members, organising meetings, and ensuring funds were maintained through events such as coffee mornings, summer fetes, raffles, and tombolas.

She has also been an active member of the Humber and North Yorkshire ABI Network, promoting Headway and its resources locally and nationally.

Julie Parker nominated Chris for her compassion and client-centred approach, saying:

Christine & David Wilson – Barrow-in-Furness

Christine and David have been committee members at Headway South Cumbria for over 14 years, following their son Chris’s traumatic brain injury in 2010.

As Fundraising Officers, they organise events, coffee mornings, and craft fairs, and lead the Barrow-based group. They also coordinate attendance at Look Ahead in the North (LAN), an annual residential weekend for Headway groups across the North East and Cumbria.

Christine’s artistic skills shine during craft projects, while David plays a key role in the hydrotherapy group—and even dresses as Father Christmas for the branch’s festive celebrations!

Nominator Glenys Marriott praised the couple for going “over and above everyone’s expectations.”