Rachel Rees nominated for 'Outstanding Contribution to Headway' award

We would like to wish Rachel Rees, Solicitor Consultant and one of the founders of Potter Rees Dolan over 20 years ago, the best of luck following her thoroughly deserved nomination for The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award at this year’s Headway Annual Awards.

Rachel first became involved with Headway’s South Manchester and Stockport branch after receiving an invitation to help at a party the charity hosted in 1993 and has volunteered there ever since.

An instrumental figure in setting up and managing its massively popular weekly social ‘drop in’ sessions, Headway describe Rachel’s commitment to help people with brain injuries as “unwavering”, and she was immensely proud when in 2013 she was nominated by the group members for the Headway UK Volunteer of the Year Award.

Rachel said:

Seeing our members at the South Manchester and Stockport branch grow in confidence and happiness as they spend time at our drop-in centre has been incredibly inspiring.

I have also made such amazing friends and met some incredibly resilient people from varied backgrounds from whom I’ve learned so much about life, and about myself.

I was extremely proud to be nominated for The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award. The nomination is particularly poignant for me, as I had met and had regular contact with Stephen McAleese in his capacity as representative for our region.

He was a truly inspirational figure, and a lovely man, who worked tirelessly on behalf of brain injury survivors, so to be shortlisted for the award created in his memory is particularly special to me.

Each year, the Headway Annual Awards celebrate the extraordinary efforts of survivors of brain injury, and those who care and support them. Along with The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award, other awards presented on the night include Carer, Volunteer and Achiever of the Year and the award ceremony will take place at the InterContinental Hotel, in Mayfair London on Friday, 6th December.

I am delighted that Rachel has been nominated. She is a fantastic advocate for ABI (acquired brain injury) survivors and has worked tremendously hard to support them for many many years. She works just as hard for those without any compensation claim and she rightly deserves the accolade of being shortlisted - Hugh Potter, Senior Partner & Head of Personal Injury

We’re sure it will be a fantastic occasion and wish to congratulate all the finalists from across the UK on reaching the finals and thank them for their wonderful work supporting brain injury survivors.

We also wish Sharon Hargreaves - another fabulous volunteer for Headway South Manchester & Stockport Branch - all the very best. Sharon is a finalist for the Volunteer of the Year Award so it's going to be a very exciting day for the local group with two finalists!