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news in the news molly fronts brain injury campaign A ustralians are being asked to step into the shoes of someone with a brain injury this September as part of the Sidetember fundraising campaign. Fronted by Molly Meldrum, who acquired a brain injury in 2011 after falling off a ladder in his home, the campaign aims to raise awareness and funds in support of the 700,000- plus Australians with a brain injury. An initiative of Brain Injury Australia (BIA) and disability organisation Royal Rehab, the campaign aims to raise $150,000 by the end of 2017. Sidetember will raise funds for Royal Rehab’s Return2Sport program. The executive officer of Brain Injury Australia, Nick Rushworth, 06 said brain injury was often called the include stroke, brain tumours and “hidden disability”, with the effects infection, along with the result of conversation starter to address the often hard to recognise or mistaken accidents, such as concussion. importance of safety in sport and for erratic behaviour. recreation with friends and family,” work of BIA and help fund Royal she said. with a brain injury acquired it before Rehab’s Return2Sport program, which the age of 25, and 75% are men,” allows people living with a brain sidetember.com. Participants are he said. injury to safely re-join recreational sent three challenges to do every activities such as adaptive cycling, week that are commonly experienced at this age to accept life with a brain yoga, snow sports, golf, surfing and by people with a brain injury, such injury. They still have their whole scuba diving. as not speaking for an hour. You can lives ahead of them and they are now Return2Sport coordinator at then invite friends, family, neighbours dealing with challenges they never Royal Rehab Samantha Genco said and work colleagues to support your expected. Brain injury continues Sidetember is a fantastic opportunity participation. You can also inspire to pose a significant health risk for for Australians to get a glimpse into others by sharing your Sidetember Aussie blokes and it’s time we change the life of someone living with a brain photos and videos on social media, that,” said Mr Rushworth. injury and the challenges they face using the hashtag #SideChallenge. day-to-day. “As many as two-thirds of people “It’s incredibly hard for people Common causes of brain injury news Funds raised will support the “The challenges provide an easy To get involved, visit linkonline.com.au