A CRASH victim who rebuilt his life after suffering a life-changing brain injury is now helping others get support.

Steven Butlin, 40, of Queensbury, says brain injury charity Headway Bradford saved him and encouraged his remarkable journey of recovery.

Now he is its vice-chairman and with 60 members from across the city, it is still making a different to many lives and more to come.

To spread the word of its work, it is organising regular coffee mornings at St George's Hall in Bradford on the third Thursday of every month from 10.30am to noon.

The hope is that people who have suffered brain injuries and their families will call in to find out how they can be helped.

Mr Butlin had to learn how to walk, talk and eat again after he crashed his motorbike into a fence post in 1997. He had not been wearing a helmet at the time and he was left with a four-inch hole in his skull.

By the time paramedics got him to Leeds General Infirmary after the accident on the Hillcrest estate, they gave him only 20 per cent chance of survival. He was in hospital for six months before spending time in a rehabilitation centre in Chapel Allerton and finally being allowed home.

All the basic life skills he once took for granted, even holding a knife and fork, he had to re-learn again. It took him more than four years to walk again unaided.

"Even though I was 22 when the accident happened, I reverted back to being like a child again," said Mr Butlin.

He added: "My brain injury still causes daily challenges but – from not being able to make a cup of tea after my accident – I am now able to host a coffee morning so that Headway Bradford can reach out to more local people in need of support and advice after brain injury.

"If it hadn't been for Headway Bradford I would just have been sat at home festering, probably watching the television all day. Instead, the charity has given me a real sense of purpose and it feels like family to me."

He said he is lucky to bear the visible scars of his brain injury, for many other it is hidden.

He said: "My eyes both look different, I've got a speed bump head and scars. I'm lucky because people can see I've had a brain injury and that's helpful it's not hidden like it is for some people.

"If I do or say something inappropriate people are more likely to understand why. We need to raise more awareness and understanding."

Pam Drake, secretary at Headway Bradford, said: "As our activities expand, we rely heavily upon the generosity of volunteers donating their time to keep our services running.

"Whether you are a survivor of brain injury, know someone who has been affected by brain injury or just want to support a good cause in your free time – everyone is welcome to come along to our meeting and find out a bit more about Headway Bradford."

To find out more or to get involved with Headway Bradford either go along to one of its monthly coffee mornings, contact her headway_bradford@hotmail.co.uk, call 07856 076 866 or visit Headway Bradford at the Kirkgate Centre, in Shipley, any second Tuesday of the month 10.30am to noon.