SUPPORTERS of a brain injury charity can boost funds by scoffing a staple Christmas snack.

Headway Oxfordshire has launched a fundraising initiative offering a festive twist on the more classic coffee morning.

The Kennington centre is encouraging people to host a Mince Pie Morning this month, giving an even better incentive to scarf the fruit-stuffed pastries.

The charity's CEO, Jamie Miller, said: "Christmas is often a time where families come together but nonetheless there are people with brain injuries who might not have a carer or family.

"It can be a particularly difficult and lonely time for them, but we will be providing Christmas parties for all our service users to spread the festive joy.

"We wouldn't be able to support brain injury survivors without the generous donations we receive from the public.

"Why not turn a Christmas catch up with friends into a way of raising vital funds to help other people?"

Participants can download a poster via headwayoxford.org.uk to promote the event, or simply invite people round to enjoy home-baked or shop-bought mince pies.

The charity in Bagley Wood Road is the only Oxfordshire centre offering specialist care for people with acquired brain injuries, maximising rehabilitation and helping them to take steps towards independence.

A donation of £10 can pay for information packs for patients, carers and families, while £25 can provide a month's supply of art materials to help improve skills such as grip and hand-eye coordination.

£50 will provide a group therapy session at Headway Oxfordshire's Activity and Rehabilitation Centre, where an array of services are based.

The rehabilitation centre is home to a neurological physiotherapy gym, which opened this year and houses high-tech exercise equipment especially designed for people with brain damage.

Headway Oxfordshire has raised £48,000 for the 'neuro-gym', and is now rallying donations to fit it with a further six pieces of equipment.

Mr Miller said: "There is great need among our existing service users for more accessible physiotherapy and for a wider range of equipment.

"We have run a physiotherapy service for adults with acquired brain injury for a number of years, with excellent results.

"However, this equipment has been very limited and unsuitable for many service users – particularly those with the most complex needs."

He said it was 'woefully inadequate' that of 70 people attending the centre each week, 30 had been unable to access physiotherapy.

The gym is the first step in the charity's creation of a community called Neuro Hub, which will provide space and equipment to be accessed by several partner organisations.

It is hoped the hub will enable much-needed collaboration between healthcare providers and improve patients' experiences.

To donate directly to the neuro-gym project, visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/headwayoxford/neurogym.