Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My name is Liz and I am the Brain Injury Development Worker for a small charity called Headway Highland (Registered Scottish CharityNo. SC 023551).

For 2012 I have set myself the personal challenge of running the Inverness Half Marathon on the 11th of March, the Edinburgh Half Marathon on the 27th of May and completing a thirteen mile walk for the Great Wilderness Challenge on the 19th of August. This is a huge challenge for me considering that a few months ago I could hardly run for 30 seconds without getting out of breath! In order to reach my goal: it will hurt; it will take time; it will require dedication; it will require willpower; it will require sacrifice; and I will need to push my body to the max. But it will be worth it because I will be raising money for Headway Highland a charity that is close to my heart.

Headway Highland is a volunteer-led charity, which is affiliated with the national organisation Headway UK. It was established in 1994 by a small group of people affected by brain injury to help promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury and to provide information, support and services to survivors of brain injury, their families and carers in the Highland area.

Brain injury is often referred to as the 'hidden disability' because the problems that arise from an injury to the brain are not always obvious to another person. People can see and often understand the limitations caused by a physical disability, but difficulties with thinking skills and behavioural changes are often misunderstood.

Headway Highland tries to raise awareness and understanding of brain injury and its effects through lobbying, campaigning, training, newsletters, talks, media coverage and information leaflets.

Headway Highland also runs support groups, which meet once a month in Inverness, Fort William and Caithness. The groups give people affected by brain injury the opportunity to talk to others who have had similar experiences, therefore reducing isolation, and giving them a chance to meet new people and make new friends! The groups run fun activities, such as arts and crafts, games nights, archery, which help brain injury survivors relearn and develop skills that may have been affected by the brain injury, for example co-ordination, spatial awareness, thinking skills, to name just a few. The activities are also beneficial for family and carers as it gives them an opportunity to get away and switch off from the demands of supporting or caring for someone with an acquired brain injury.

Headway Highland is also hoping to set up groups in Oban, Skye and Ullapool in the near future.

We also offer a free counselling service across the Highland region to survivors, carers and families to help them come to terms with the effects of brain injury on their lives.

As a charity Headway Highland relies upon the goodwill of many people who kindly donate their time and skills for free. We also depend upon donations and fund raising to help us deliver and develop our services.

Any donation, however small, will be greatly appreciated by Headway Highland. If you are a UK taxpayer and you tick the Gift Aid box and supply your name and address the government will increase the value of your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you!