500 Balloons Released Mark The Beginning Of A Series Of Celebrations For Charity’s Fourth Birthday

A special balloon release took place over the weekend to help raise funds for North East charity BRAINBOX.

The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland was the setting for the release of 500 balloons marking the beginning of a series of celebrations to mark the charity’s fourth birthday, which officially takes place in March 2014.

Supporters of the charity each paid £5 for a balloon label and the one which travels the furthest distance will win either a Kindle or an iPad.

Based at Disability North in Gosforth, BRAINBOX provides practical support to families across the North East and Cumbria, supporting children and young people up to 25 years old who have an acquired brain injury, their carers and their families. BRAINBOX is funded through charitable grants and local fundraising activity.

The event was supported by the serious injury team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in Newcastle and several of the firm’s brain injured clients who use the charity’s services were involved in releasing the balloons on the day including Josh Denton and Jack and Sophie Handyside who were both injured in a car crash last year and are now undergoing specialist rehabilitation to recover from their injuries

John Davis, chair of BRAINBOX and solicitor at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office, said: “BRAINBOX helps so many children who suffer from brain injuries and provides a crucial service in their recovery and ensuring their everyday lives are enriched. The charity relies on fundraising and sponsorship so we are very pleased to be able to help out with supporting the balloon release.”

Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland, and Patron of the charity who provided the venue, said: "I am delighted BRAINBOX chose The Alnwick Garden to mark the beginning of its fourth birthday celebrations. The support the charity gives to families affected by childhood acquired brain injury in the North East is life-changing and we are delighted that some of the young children BRAINBOX has supported were able to join us at The Alnwick Garden to perform the launch.”

Julie Cordon, service coordinator at BRAINBOX said: “We want to thank all our supporters in helping us to raise vital funds at the balloon race. We were especially thrilled that three of our young beneficiaries were able to help us launch the 500 balloons and it was an exciting spectacle for everyone present. Every penny raised through selling the balloon labels goes directly to help children and young people living with an acquired brain injury and their families in the North East.

“Acquired brain injury is known as the ‘hidden disability’ and people rarely realise the challenges that caring for a young person with a brain injury can bring. We are pleased to offer a service to help people come to terms with the impact that such injuries can have on the children and their families.”

The aim of BRAINBOX is to promote positive emotional wellbeing for all family members. They offer a free and confidential supportline (0800 0124 027), a counselling and listening service, regional activity groups and a complimentary therapy service.