Who’s up for throwing a hat in the air next week? A Norfolk and Waveney based charity will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record on May 21 and is urging people to sign up and take part online. Faye Anderson explains more
While many of us have gone through a period of social isolation during the pandemic, Headway charity says this is an ongoing, everyday issue for brain injury survivors and carers. The Norfolk and Waveney based charity, which supports people after they have experienced a brain injury, needs 100 record breakers to register and take part in a mass Zoom call. And the aim? To set a new Guinness World Record for the most hats thrown in the air at the same time, online!
Happening at 4pm on Hats for Headway Day (May 21), a day during Action for Brain Injury Week (May 17-23), this year, the charity is aiming to raise awareness of the ongoing issue of isolation for those living with an acquired brain injury. While many of us have gone through a period of social isolation during the pandemic, Headway says this is an ongoing, everyday issue for brain injury survivors and carers.
At Headway Norfolk and Waveney centres in Gorleston, King’s Lynn and Norwich, the charity provides a range of occupational therapy led services, to help people regain skills, confidence, and their independence. It also provides a space for people and their families to meet up, talk and seek respite as they face shared challenges.
Communications officer Faye Anderson is organising the record attempt. She says: ‘Hats for Headway is an annual event where we encourage people to wear a bright, silly hat for the day, raise awareness of our charity, and the work we do to support people living with acquired brain injuries. This year we’re going big and attempting to set a world record.
‘We’re really excited about staging our mass Zoom event and hopefully becoming Guinness World Record breakers for the most hats thrown simultaneously. It’s really easy to join in. Simply pre-register, log on at 4pm on the 21st of May, bring your headwear and lots of energy to be a hat-throwing record breaker! It will be a fun and uplifting way to mark the end of Hats for Headway day, while spreading an important message.’
For people living with an acquired brain injury, life can often feel locked down all the time. The effects of brain injury can include problems with memory, information processing, or speech. Add to this a lack of understanding of this often-hidden disability and survivors can often be short of confidence to interact with the outside world. The support and services delivered by Headway aim to change that and the charity hopes this event will raise more awareness about what life is like for those living with an acquired brain injury.
On the day, staff at Headway centres across Norfolk in Gorleston, King’s Lynn and Norwich will be logging on as will the charity’s corporate supporters. But Headway needs people to get behind the event to help officially set the record. Adjudicators from the Guinness World Record team will be monitoring the online event to ensure it meets their criteria.
Want to be a record breaker? Email recordbreaker@headway-nw.org.uk to register to take part by May 18. Zoom invitations and instructions will be sent out before May 20. The online event is free to join, but if anyone would like to fundraise or donate to Headway Norfolk and Waveney, please go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/recordbreaker (live link – Headway Guinness World Record Breaker – JustGiving). Follow @headwaynorfolkw on Instagram using #hatsforheadway #recordbreaker and follow Headway Norfolk & Waveney | Facebook
The main image (left to right): Chris, Norwich Centre Manager; Louise, Support Worker; Mandy, Support Worker
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