The Hughes family, from London, was one such family. They turned to the Emergency Fund for help at the end of last year after husband and father of four Michael went into cardiac arrest.
The 50 year old was rushed to hospital where doctors told wife Sarah and eldest daughter Anita that his brain had been starved of oxygen, leaving him with a serious hypoxic brain injury.
Before taking ill, Michael worked two days a week as a sales assistant at a local supermarket. As he was the family's sole wage-earner, the family's finances were hit hard.
A successful application to the fund meant that all four of the couple’s children were able to visit their father in hospital.
Anita, who is studying at university said: “We were all so grateful when Headway approved our application for emergency funding because, when the sick pay was eventually cut, we didn't know what we were going to do.
“As a family we are in receipt of some benefits, but they only pay for basic needs and our funds just couldn't stretch to cover London's costly tube and bus fares to visit our father.
“The Emergency Fund team has helped my family immensely. We are so grateful that a brain injury charity like Headway exists.”
Emergency Fund Co-ordinator Debbie Howitt said: “The Hughes’ story is sadly not unique.
“We are pleased to have been able to assist so many families in urgent need of help, but the tragedy, of course, is that so many people are forced to turn to us for support.
“Whether a person is forced to give up their job or simply cannot afford to visit their loved one in hospital, the Emergency Fund provides a vital lifeline to ease some of the unexpected pressure sudden acute brain injury can bring.
“We would like to say a big thank you to The Stewarts Foundation, which has supported the fund from the outset, and the many dedicated volunteers that have so often gone the extra mile in support of families in need.”
* The names of the family members have been changed.
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