An independent charity which helps people suffering from neck and head cancer has been nominated for a prestigious award.
The Birmingham-based Get A-Head charitable trust has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Charity of the Year honour in the Solihull Chamber of Commerce awards.
The charity, set up in 1994 and based on Warwick Road in Solihull, raises funds to directly help improve quality of life for those patients who suffer from head and neck disease, support their carers, buy specialist equipment and fund research.
Chairman Tom Bromwich, founding partner of Coventry commercial property specialists Bromwich Hardy, said the charity was thrilled to have been named as a finalist.
“We are absolutely delighted to be in the shortlist and this is a real recognition of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in Get A-Head.
“Over the last few years Get A-Head has funded a range of projects and equipment that have made a real difference to those fighting head and neck disease, including pioneering research into the genetics of two very rare forms of cancer, Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) and Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC).
“We have helped with the purchase of a 3D printer scanner which helps maxillofacial surgeons to rebuild patients’ faces with a high degree of precision. This really helps give patients back a sense of their identity following life-changing treatments and operations.”
Tom and his children have all had to undergo preventative treatment for thyroid cancer and he said Get A-Head’s work was vital in fighting back against the disease.
‘I know from my own experience just what a difference the fundraising and awareness-raising carried out by Get A-Head makes, and it is a real pleasure to see that work recognised in the wider community by the chamber.”
Winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony at the Marriott Forest of Arden in Meriden, Birmingham on October 17.
Helen Bates, chair of the judges and chief financial officer at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The judges for the Solihull awards had their work cut out, with some amazing businesses applying in each category.
“There was a lot of discussion about the shortlist in each case but at the end of the process the results were remarkably consistent.”
For more information about the charity visit https://getahead.org.uk/