Staff help colleague make Headway for brain injury cause

Peggy Shipley and her family were devastated when her brother Patrick Meade suffered a severe brain injury when he was hit by a car in 1991.

The Leamington man, then only 21 and a father-of-one, was left in a persistent vegetative state for 20 years before he died in December 2010.

Mrs Shipley and her family have raised thousands of pounds for Headway, the charity which helped them through this dark time.

She said: “Patrick’s head took the brunt of the impact, and his brain was so swollen that the doctors couldn’t operate on him for some time after. We just had to sit and wait, not knowing what the future held.

“At this time, Headway was an incredible source of help and support. Through its helpline, the charity provided comfort, advice and guidance, while making us feel like we weren’t going through this alone.

“We hadn’t heard about Headway before the accident, but it’s vital that people support charities like Headway as you never know when you’ll need them.”

Staff handed out stock donation bags to customers who returned their donations to the store on Saturday.

All of the items will be sold at the Headway shop in Regent Street.

Belinda Marshall, the shop’s manager, said: “We are thrilled that Sainsbury’s has chosen to support us in this way.

“All the profits from the shop go towards helping the charity continue to work to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by brain injury.

“The shops play a crucial role in the charity’s vital fundraising, but without stock, our hands are tied.

“If Santa was kind this year, why not make some space in your wardrobe and cupboards for your new items by donating your old stuff to Headway?”

For more information visit www.headway.org.uk