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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