Headway launch campaign for €2m trauma recovery centre in Cork

BRAIN injury support group, Headway, has launched a campaign for a €2m trauma recovery centre in Cork.

Headway, which supports people with an acquired brain or head injury, hope the proposed new centre on the Carrigrohane Road will allow people from the south to avail of recovery supports closer to home rather than having to travel to Dublin.

The campaign for the €2m new centre was launched in Cork today with Lord Mayor Councillor Mick Finn to mark National Brain Injury Awareness Week.

Headway’s Stephen Forrest said that people recovering from a brain injury such as those inflicted in an accident, stroke or other trauma face a challenging task.

“Living with a brain injury can be hard, Every Cork person who has a brain injury from a stroke, accident or other trauma will probably need to access vital services and support from Headway at some point as they cope with their injury,” he said

“It’s a difficult road for all survivors and for their families but Headway is there to help.”

“However, Headway’s current Cork facilities are not sufficient to support anyone trying to cope with such a life changing injury.”

More than 350 people and families are currently being assisted.

The charity aims to merge their existing Ballincollig service with the proposed new Carrigrohane recovery support centre to offer those with a brain injury a world-class rehabilitation centre.

Headway rehabilitation director, Liz Owens, said it is vital the new centre is built.

“We have reached a critical point in time – a new centre needs to be built. A project plan is currently being developed that will allow for the creation of a state-of-the-art, not-for-profit facility that will be able to treat hundreds of patients annually.”

“Headway needs to raise a total of €2m to build, landscape and furnish a location that will treat and support hundreds of survivors and their families each year.”

The support group said their services are currently stretched to the limit – and 100 additional families in the greater Cork area could immediately be supported via the new centre.

Councillor Finn said the new centre is desperately needed by the region.

“I would encourage people to get behind the fundraising campaign,” he said.

Headway was boosted by the confirmation it will now be one of the recipient charities from the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Concert.

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