Dozens donned their wackiest hats on Friday May 12 to raise funds for families across Swindon who are living with the effects of brain injury.

Local brain injury charity Headway Swindon organised the event and let businesses, schools and community organisations get creative for Hats for Headway Day.

Several companies had their employees wearing their goofiest headgear to raise money and awareness for the charity.

CEO of Headway Swindon Jane Weston was delighted by the turnout. She said: “It was really nice, we had a really great time and it’s great to see the community get behind us, we really appreciate it because we are so dependent on support from the local community.”

“We had a theme of ‘A New Me’ and made masks so people could say how they feel, it was a chance to express themselves and raise awareness.

“They often feel quite anxious when they go outside but at Headway they feel supported and more confident and able to be themselves.

Conservative MP Robert Buckland joined in the celebrations.

He said: “A brain injury can often be life-changing, which is why the work of Headway Swindon is so important.

“I am happy to play my part in raising awareness of this excellent organisation.”

The day was also part of Action for Brain Injury Week, which ran from May 8 to May 14.

Hats for Headway is a national event which takes place every year, with people all around the country doing different fundraising events for Headway’s 125 branches and groups.

The charity provides support, services, and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers, and health professionals.

It’s estimated that 1 in 64 people currently living in the UK are dealing with the effects of a brain injury.

For more information, visit headway.org.uk