Traitors star Andrew Jenkins set to step out from Ardross Castle for epic Headway charity trek
A STAR of Highland-set reality TV smash hit The Traitors is returning to world famous Ardross Castle for a cause close to his heart.
Andrew Jenkins is undertaking a remarkable 1200km fundraising walk for Headway, the brain injury association.
The UK-wide charity works to improve life after brain injury by providing vital support, advocacy, and information services to brain injury survivors and their families.
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Earlier this year, Andrew who hails from Talbot Green, Rhondda Cynon Taf, captivated TV audiences as he disclosed his near-fatal car crash in 1999.
Feared dead at the side of the road, Andrew sustained a severe brain injury, and doctors initially told his parents he would never walk again and might not even wake from his coma. Against all odds, Andrew made a miraculous recovery, being described as a "miracle patient”.
‘The Big Trek’, will see Andrew raise funds and awareness for Headway by walking between castles in the UK, starting from Ardross Castle, Ross-shire, where The Traitors was filmed, down to Cardiff Castle in his home city.
In Scotland, his journey will see him pass through Inverness, Fort William, and Glasgow. It will also include stops at Lancaster Castle in England and Carrickfergus Castle in Northern Ireland, covering all four home nations.
Andrew's walk will start on September 29 and is expected to take over 40 days.
Reflecting on his recovery journey, Andrew said: “I defied the grim prognosis given by doctors after spending four weeks in a coma.
“Despite the predictions of severe brain damage and permanent disability, I not only regained consciousness but was able to walk and talk.
“Some of the physical injuries I had were horrendous, but the worst thing for me was the psychological impact of my accident and the challenges around mental health. “That’s why I’m taking on this challenge, to raise money and awareness of the impact of brain injury and dealing with trauma and mental health challenges.”
Jen Murgatroyd, Headway’s Director of Fundraising said: "We are immensely grateful for Andrew’s dedication and efforts in taking on this challenge for Headway.
“The money raised will go towards things like our Emergency Fund that helps family members be at the bedside of their loved one in critical care, or our nurse-led helpline that provides essential information and emotional support to brain injury survivors and their families.
“We are proud to have Andrew champion our cause and I’m sure his journey will give hope and inspiration to other brain injury survivors."
Supporters can contribute to his cause by donating at Andrew’s Givestar page.
What is Headway?
Headway – the UK’s leading brain injury charity – provides support, services and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers, as well as to professionals in the health and legal fields. It has more than 100 groups and branches throughout the UK.
Key facts
Acquired brain injury (ABI) is an umbrella term for any injury to the brain sustained since birth, excluding neurodegenerative conditions.
The most common forms of ABI are traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke. Other causes include brain tumour, meningitis, aneurysm, haemorrhage, encephalitis, anoxia, and other conditions.
The brain controls everything we do and brain injury can affect every aspect of who we are. The physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects of ABI can have devastating consequences for individuals and their families.
There were 356,699 UK admissions to hospital with acquired brain injury in 2019-20. This is a 12% increase since 2005-6.
ABI admissions in the UK increased by 12% between 2005-6 and 2019-20.
There were approximately 977 ABI admissions per day to UK hospitals in 2019-20 – or one every 90 seconds.
Men are 1.5 times more likely than women to be admitted for a head injury. However, female head injury admissions have risen 28% between 2005-6 and 2019-20.
In 2019-20, there were 137,403 UK admissions for stroke. That is an increase of 14% between 2005-6 and 2019-20. It equates to one every four minutes.
