Rita was a tireless advocate for people affected by brain injury, using her personal experience to improve the lives of others.
Rita was driven to support those affected by brain injury after her own daughter, Jane, sustained a traumatic brain injury. Determined to ensure other families received more help in adapting to life after brain injury, Rita became a founding member of Headway Bristol in 1977. Today, Headway Bristol is a thriving charity supporting hundreds people each year.
Rita finally stepped down from the board of Headway Bristol in 2011 aged 80, but continued to be actively involved, taking on the role of President of the charity.
In addition to caring for Jane and helping to develop Headway Bristol, Rita served on the board of Headway UK for more than a decade, acting as Deputy Chair for several years.
She further extended her reach by helping to launch a European federation of brain injury charities, called Brain Injured and Families (BIF), in 1999, becoming the organisation’s first President. This organisation is still going strong today, helping brain injury charities across Europe to share ideas, information and best practice.
Rita’s dedication and commitment led her to be awarded an MBE, while she was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2004 Headway Annual Awards.
Rita left a lasting legacy and will be missed by all those who knew and loved her, particularly her daughter Jane.
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