In April 2022, Nick suffered a severe head injury that had life-changing consequences. Just two years later, on 21st April 2024, he ran the London Marathon to raise funds for brain research.
In April 2022, Nick was enjoying a day out with his wife when he tripped on a pavement and fell backwards. He suffered a severe injury to his head and was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to treat a bleed on his brain.
“It was a simple accident that could’ve happened to anyone. Yet, at the time, my family had no idea if I’d wake up, and if I did, how bad the brain injury would be.”
The accident was life-changing, and Nick needed intensive rehabilitation. He was unable to walk and was aphasic, which meant that he couldn’t talk or understand speech. It took several months for him to learn to walk and communicate again, eventually returning home from hospital in September 2022.
Nick still has hearing difficulties and no sense of taste or smell. He’s also unable to drive, which has taken away a lot of his independence. But he has a positive outlook on life and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren. He has also been able to take up his favourite hobby again – golf!
The accident made Nick realise that, because you never know what’s around the corner, you need to grab life with both hands. It was with this in mind that he signed up to run the London Marathon, and took to the streets on the 21st April, completing the 26.2 mile distance from Greenwich to the Mall!
Nick has raised over £6,000 to support vital brain research.
"25 years ago, doctors wouldn’t have known how to treat my brain injury and I may not have survived my accident. But now, thanks to Brain Research UK, I’m here today and training to run the London Marathon. With every step I run, I’ll be thinking of the money I’m raising for this amazing charity."
If you’d like to support his amazing effort, please visit his fundraising page
Brain and spinal cord injury is one of our three priority research areas, reflecting the high level of patient need in this area. The money raised by Nick and his fellow marathon runners will fund vital new research in brain and spinal cord injury as well as our two other priority areas: brain tumours and headache.
One currently-funded project is by PhD student Isobel Chick. She is focused on aphasia, which is one of the problems faced by Nick after his injury. Aphasia is a language disorder that affects how you communicate, usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain. It leaves people unable to communicate effectively, which may include trouble understanding, speaking, reading or writing. It is profoundly disabling.
Isobel is a Speech and language therapist who knows first-hand how debilitating speech and language difficulties can be. Her work will advance understanding of how people with aphasia communicate and help develop new, evidence-based interventions to improve communication. Read about Isobel's research.
