A woman whose brother suffered a major brain injury is hoping to raise funds for charity that helped supports him.

Taylor Barnes, 31 will take on the Manchester Half Marathon this weekend to support Headway - The Brain Injury Association. 

Seven years ago her brother, Thomas, now 29, suffered a major injury which has changed his life. 

Mum Nicola, from Whalley, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Taylor not just for the run but the constant support she and her sister Alexandra have given me with Tom on this long difficult journey.”

Taylor's efforts will be all the more remarkable as she is not a runner and struggles with her own health.

She suffers from epilepsy, asthma, and has bad knees, but says she ‘found the strength’ through the trauma after watching her brother suffer. 

Taylor, who lives in Ramsbottom, said: “Since 2017, Headway Central Lancashire has been a constant support for my family.

"Headway are a smaller charity and rely on donations to provide services to those with ABI.

"Headway is vital and offers support, companionship and understanding in their communities.”

She said: “For those who know me, know that I've never been much of a runner, at school I used to hold my inhaler in my hand so that I didn't have to run in the cross country. 

“During lockdown, I attempted a couch to 5K and gave up at week nine (on a 10-week programme). It's safe to say, this is well out of my comfort zone.

“If you are able to donate a few pennies or pounds, or are able to share the link, my family and I would really appreciate your support.”

Mum Nicola said Tom had bravely attempted to carry on with his life despite his illness.Nicola said in 2017, her son Tom, who was 22 at the time, collapsed.

She said: “He did not disclose how ill he was as he was under tremendous pressure from family to return for his Nana's funeral, and actually should’ve completed his degree the very same day.

“Selflessly Tom thought of others and not himself. On the morning of the funeral, Tom struggled to get ready feeling ill under pressure to attend, we agreed that Tom would attend the service and then return home. 

“Very sadly Tom went inside to rest just before the taxi arrived, and in that time he collapsed and our lives have not been the same since. 

“When Tom arrived at hospital we were informed that he might not survive.

"He was put in an induced coma and had a scan which revealed he had a midline shift of the brain, a bleed caused by the fall and fractured skull.”

Tom was in ICU for three weeks and nearly died twice from complications, said Nicola.

He had to have a craniotomy to relieve head pressures caused by his injury. 

Tom with his sisters before he got illWhen Tom regained consciousness he could not walk or talk or eat. 

Nicola said: “Tom played rugby as a junior for Blackburn Rugby Club and was a very active fun-loving young man with every prospect available to him.

“Tom was about to complete his degree in geology. He has always had a great passion for the world around him unfortunately now it is a completely different world for Tom.

“He has worked hard to regain some strength on his right side, but it is considerably weaker.

"Tom has balance issues; he cannot walk very far at all, he will not drive, he will not work.”

Headway - The Brain Injury Association says every 90 seconds someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with an acquired brain injury (ABI).

There are many possible causes, such as a fall, a road traffic accident, an assault, a tumour or a stroke. 

Nicola added: “Tom still suffers regularly from head pain and balance issues that completely debilitate his life.

"However, with his family strength and the invaluable help from Headway from ICU to rehabilitation, to returning home, to meeting your friends, helping morally, and giving a new sense of belonging, Headway has been a lifeline for us that cannot be measured.”

You can support and donate to Taylor on her JustGiving page.