Preston woman shortlisted for top brain injury charity award
Liz Bamber, the driving force behind Headway Central Lancashire, has been nominated for The Extra Mile Award for her tireless commitment to supporting families affected by brain injury
A Lancashire woman who turned personal tragedy into a lifeline for hundreds of families affected by brain injury is in line for a top award.7
Sixty six-year-old Liz Bamber, 66, from Preston, Lancashire, is a finalist in The Extra Mile Award category in the annual awards for national brain injury charity Headway UK.
Each year Headway UK hosts a glittering awards ceremony celebrating the dedication, growth and outstanding achievements of brain injury survivors, carers, volunteers, and others in the Headway community across the country.
Mum-of-three Liz has been described as the driving force behind Headway Central Lancashire since founding the charity in 2010, after her son Matt sustained a life- changing traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle crash.
Rather than accept the lack of local support available at the time, Liz channelled her experience into establishing the charity, ensuring others affected by brain injury would have access to the support, guidance and understanding that her own family needed.
What began as a small support group, with one volunteer and a handful of brain injury survivors meeting monthly in a church hall, has grown under Liz’s leadership into a thriving organisation.
The charity employs a dedicated team of eight staff members and delivers a wide range of services, including weekly community sessions attended by more than 50 people, a hospital outreach service which has supported 923 families so far this year, one-to-one appointments, and ongoing assistance for survivors, carers and families.
Liz was nominated for The Extra Mile Award, sponsored by Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, by her co-manager Laura Brown.
Laura said: “Liz’s own experience enables her to connect with service users and families on a personal level, offering not only practical support but also empathy and reassurance during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
“Time and time again, families express how much comfort they gain from speaking with someone who truly understands their situation.
“She has turned personal tragedy into positive change for an entire community, and her tireless commitment embodies everything the Extra Mile Award represents.
“We can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than Liz Bamber!”
Liz said she was genuinely surprised to find out she had been nominated for the award.
“I was a bit shocked! But it was really lovely to be nominated,” she said.
“I do question ‘why me?’ because all over the country, Headway has got many heroes doing amazing things.
“For me, brain injury is personal. Our family was affected when my son had a motorbike accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury, so I know first-hand how much it can change a family’s life and how difficult it can be to carry on.
“That experience helps me understand the families I meet through my role. I know how important it is to have someone who understands what you’re going through, can explain the pathway, offer support and help with referrals, rehabilitation and ongoing care which is an incredible privilege.
“Sometimes, it’s just good for people to know that we’ve lived it too. We understand, and they’re not on their own.
“Our staff, trustees and volunteers are just amazing. Everybody is so committed to helping others, and work together to make life after brain injury better.”
Winners for the Headway Annual Awards, sponsored by Charles Stanley Raymond James, will be announced on Thursday, December 10, at The Royal Lancaster in London.