Cycling for a Cause: Overcoming Adversity with Perseverance

A Newbury resident, Anne-Marie Goldsmith, who suffered a brain haemorrhage at 29 and thought she would never ride a bike again, has cycled 54 miles for charity. Determined to raise money for Headway, a charity that supports those affected by brain injury, Anne-Marie took on the annual London to Brighton bike ride. With the support of her friends, including Claire, Julie, and Jo, Anne-Marie overcome her physical and emotional challenges to complete the ride and raise over £5,000 for Headway UK.

Key Takeaways:

• Anne-Marie Goldsmith, a 57-year-old brain injury survivor, has cycled 54 miles for charity in just three months after taking on the London to Brighton bike ride.
• Anne-Marie suffered a brain haemorrhage at 29 and had to learn to walk again while adapting to her 'new' life post-brain surgery.
• She raised £5,000 for Headway UK and £10,000 in total for both Headway UK and Headway Thames Valley.
• Headway, a charity that supports those affected by brain injury, receives £1,000 every 62 seconds for frontline services.
• Every 90 seconds, someone is admitted to a UK hospital with a brain injury, with 335,409 hospital admissions in 2023-24.
• Headway Thames Valley help rebuild lives after brain injury across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire, with over 200 clients receiving services each year.
• The Headway charity's frontline services include a freephone nurse-led helpline, Brain Injury Identity Cards, and the Headway Emergency Fund.

Statistics:

• Anne-Marie cycled 54 miles for charity in just three months.
• Anne-Marie raised £5,000 for Headway UK and £10,000 in total for both Headway UK and Headway Thames Valley.
• Every 90 seconds, someone is admitted to a UK hospital with a brain injury.
• 335,409 UK hospital admissions for brain injury in 2023-24.
• Headway Thames Valley helps rebuild lives after brain injury across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire, with over 200 clients receiving services each year.

Sources:

• Grace Dowdney, "Newbury resident cycles 54 miles for charity after brain injury" (without source date)
• Headway UK: *www.headway.org.uk*
• Helen Craig, Fundraising Manager at Headway UK, "In awe of Anne-Marie and the grit she has shown" (without source date)
• Qudsia Rahim, Fundraising Manager at Headway Thames Valley, "We are incredibly grateful for Anne-Marie and her team's outstanding fundraising efforts" (without source date)