Stephen McAleese Award for Inspiration 2025

The Stephen McAleese Award for Inspiration, sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors, is now open for nominations. The award will recognise an individual for their inspirational work in the field of Acquired Brain Injury.

If you know someone who makes an award-worthy contribution to the field of acquired brain injury please make a nomination. Anyone can make a nomination - there is a short, simple form to complete at the bottom of this page which asks you to give their name, details and state why you think they deserve to win an award. The deadline for nominations is 12th September 2025.

 
About Stephen
At the age of 15, Stephen's life was turned upside down when he was rushed to the hospital with meningitis and needed extensive rehabilitation. When he returned to school a year later, he was in a wheelchair and needed a lot of support to adjust to his new life.  His family, of course, were central to this.

After school, Stephen found it difficult to adjust to the lack of structure and support and it was at this point he discovered North Cumbria Headway in Carlisle. Headway provided him with a second family and a number of new opportunities.

Stephen dedicated much of his time to raising awareness and campaigning for specialist neuro-services and rehabilitation. He became an authoritative voice in the Northern Acquired Brain Injury Forum and was appointed as a trustee of UKABIF.

Very sadly, Stephen passed away and UKABIF established this award in his name the following year to honor his legacy.

Previous winners of the award

2024 - Claudia Laird & Mike Howarth

Claudia was nominated by After Matters who support young people living with a brain injury. Claudia was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 24 and during recovery she remained determined to complete her nursing degree. She now works as a paediatric nurse at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. 

Mike was nominated by Amy Crosby. He was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in 2020 which resulted in him having a severe TBI and amputation of his left arm at the scene. Mike has not allowed his injuries to define him and has worked tirelessly with his team to rewrite his story. He has now returned to cycling, horse riding and has a passion for clay pigeon shooting too! Mike briefly stayed at STEPS Rehabilitation and is now a Trustee of their new foundation and supporter of their work. 

2023 - Leon Clarkson & Dr Jenna Moffitt and Dr Don Brechin

The Stephen McAleese Award for Inspiration in 2023 went to joint winners.  Leon Clarkson who suffered a brain injury aged 28 years, was recognised for his work as a mentor at Rehabilitate while Dr Jenna Moffitt and Dr Don Brechin were recognised for their work in research and data showing what further provisions are needed to support people affected by brain injury in the North East.

2022 - Charlie Fogarty

In 2012, 15-year-old football mad Charlie Fogarty suffered a severe brain injury after being hit by a car. He spent 11 days in intensive care at Birmingham Children’s Hospital before being moved to a neurosurgical ward and being placed in an induced coma. Doctors said it was unlikely he would be able to walk or talk again and would probably never return to education. Yet Charlie proved them all wrong. After leaving hospital four months after his accident, Charlie was transferred to The Children’s Trust – the UK’s leading charity for children with a brain injury.

Charlie was a resident at the Charity’s specialist rehabilitation centre in Surrey and after two months he spoke again for the first time and just six months after the accident he took his first steps. Ten months later Charlie was well enough to return home.

2021 – Anita Pascoe

In July 2000, Anita Pascoe’s 54-year-old Mum, Ann, collapsed following a brain haemorrhage and she remained severely brain injured until her death earlier this year. For 20 years Anita fought to get her Mum properly supported.

Accepting the Award, Anita said: “I have been inspired by so many people who have survived acquired brain injury and overcome huge challenges. We had to fight so hard over the years and that is just not right. You should not need to have someone fighting your corner in order for your needs to be met.”

2020 - Jason Le Masurier

Jason sustained a head injury in a kitesurfing accident over 10 years ago in Blackpool. Prior to his accident was a successful civil engineer working on major projects throughout the world. Whilst recovering in hospital following his accident he was told by medics that it would be unlikely for him to walk again and would most likely be confined to using a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Jason has been able to not only learn to walk again, but has also managed to run a marathon and compete in several triathlons.  Jason still suffers from the injuries sustained, but wasn’t satisfied with just achieving these physical goals, he has dedicated his time to motivational speaking about overcoming adversity.

Jason was nominated by a healthcare professional working in the field of mobility and rehabilitation who was inspired by his drive and determination.