About Headfirst

Headfirst was set up by Cheryl and retired army officer George Pettifar, both of whom suffered brain injuries, together with the surgeon who treated them, Professor Anthony Strong. Cheryl and fellow band member Mike Nolan were involved in a notorious bus crash whilst on tour in the 80s. Both were successfully treated, but Mike in particular still suffers lasting effects, and it is this which prompted Cheryl to raise funds for fellow victims. Read her story here.

Unlike a broken limb, brain injuries are often invisible, but their impact can be just as, if not more, devastating.

The charity has the following aims:

• To fund and promote research into head injuries, stroke and associated brain damage.
• To “pump prime” projects which might attract support from other funding bodies in the field.
• To purchase research equipment and help with the salaries of research staff
• To make major grants to programmes at the forefront of stroke and head injury research.

Headfirst has raised more than £50,000 over the past 10 years. Contributions have come from a wide range of sources and activities with particularly important donations arising from Cheryl’s performances and from the grateful patients of Professor Strong. The charity is somewhat unusual in that it has no premises to pay for, nor salaries. No trustee has ever claimed personal expenses and the absolute minimum is spent on administration, the cost of which is more than met by interest on capital. This means that every penny donated by well wishers goes to the charity’s aims.

In support of Headfirst, Jenny Craig will donate £5 for every client signing up for the programme. To sign up, simply call 0800 917 5540 or request a free callback here.

Cheryl: my story

On 11th December 1984, Bucks Fizz appeared at Newcastle City Hall, the second date of a sell-out tour.

We left the theatre elated and boarded our luxury coach for the 15 minute journey to the hotel where we were spending the night. Minutes later disaster struck.

There were roadworks on the opposite side of the road, so oncoming traffic was diverted to the off-side lane of the dual carriageway we were travelling on.

I have to jump now to the next part of the story. I was lying in the road with flashing lights around me, feeling cold and totally confused. Apparently, our coach had collided with an articulated lorry and Mike Nolan and I had been catapulted through the windscreen. To this day, neither of us can remember anything about it.

Mike and I were taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and put in cubicles opposite each other. We were both in a pretty sorry state but the following morning we were able to chuckle about what our fans would think if they could see us! Mike asked me not to make him laugh as his head hurt and they wouldn’t give him any tablets.

That night, more than 24 hours after our accident, Mike slipped into a coma and was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital for an emergency brain operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.

I never realised until then the dramatic changes that can take place to a person after suffering a brain injury. Mike was never the same again. Initially, he suffered from severe depression. Thankfully that has eased off, but not completely. He still suffers from short-term memory loss, tunnel vision and epilepsy for which he has to take fairly powerful drugs which make him quite sleepy. His personality has changed, as has his self confidence.

I love Mike like a brother and would do anything for him, but I miss the old Mike and so does he.

I'm thrilled to bits that Jenny Craig are supporting the charity. For everyone who signs up to the programme, they will donate £5, so get on the blower now!