ACTORS including Freddie Fox, Sophie Thompson, Anthony Calf and Joanna David treated National Brain Appeal supporters to humorous and poignant readings at the charity’s virtual carol concert.
The event also included musical performances by composer and pianist Richard Sisson, violinist Sara Trickey, pianist Matthew Herd and singer Xei Audi.
The charity raises vital funds for The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square, the UK’s leading centre of excellence for treating diseases of the brain, spine and nervous system.
Pictured (l-r) Tim O'Sullivan, MD of the Danny Sullivan Group, actress Sophie Thompson and Kacey O'Driscoll (PIC: Marie Mangan)Retired neurosurgeon Mick Powell, now a saxophone enthusiast, performed two songs with neurologist Nick Losseff on piano and singer Xei Audi.
The event was recorded in St George’s Church, just across Queen Square from the hospital, and made possible by the generous sponsorship of leading Irish construction and labour supply company, the Danny Sullivan Group.
The firm, founded by Danny O’Sullivan in 1986, named The National Brain Appeal as the company’s charity of the year for 2021.
Mr O’Sullivan, a father-of-five who hails from county Kerry but has lived in London for over 50 years, spent five months at the hospital in 2017 following a life-threatening brain haemorrhage resulting from a ruptured aneurysm.
Tim O'Sullivan reads at The National Brain Appeal carol concert, which was sponsored by the Danny Sullivan Group. (PIC: Marie Mangan)Danny needed emergency surgery and three subsequent operations, spent six weeks in intensive care, two weeks in the high dependency unit and a further three months on a ward where he needed intensive rehabilitation to help him to re-learn how to walk and talk. A ruptured aneurysm causes a subarachnoid haemorrhage, bleeding around the brain.
It is a type of stroke and is life-threatening.
It is thought around 50 per cent of people do not survive. Those who do survive can be left with long-term disability.
His son Tim O’Sullivan, who is the firm’s Managing Director, gave a reading from Luke 1:26-38 The Annunciation, at the carol concert.
Tim, his wife Kacey and the Danny Sullivan Group have raised around £95,000 for The National Brain Appeal since his father’s life was saved.
They cycled 1000 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats in 2017, raising £76,000, donated £5000 to the charity’s Emergency Fund for the hospital as the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020, and raised a further £15,000 in October 2021 by climbing Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, at 1095 metres.
Tim O’Sullivan said: “Seeing my father doing so well now is testament to the incredible skill and expertise of the staff at The National Hospital.
“My wife Kacey, my family and I are grateful every day for not only saving his life, but returning him to such good health that he can live and enjoy a normal life.”
He added: “The National Brain Appeal works closely with hospital staff to ensure money raised goes directly where it is needed. It is a charity very close to our hearts and we are delighted to support this fantastic charity.”
National Brain Appeal CEO Theresa Dauncey (left) with Tim O'Sullivan and wife Kacey O'Driscoll (PIC: Marie Mangan)Actor Freddie Fox gave a humorous reading of Sleigh by Oliver Pritchett, at the event.
His mother, actress Joanna David, also had life-saving brain surgery at the National Hospital.
Mr Fox said: “The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery saved my mum’s life when I was about three.
“I owe them, and the brain surgeon Mick Powell who saved her, everything.”
He added: “The National Hospital saves countless people like my mum every year with every imaginable brain condition under the sun, and as a world leader in neurological care, treatment and research, I think that we as a nation can be very proud of it and should support it however we can through The National Brain Appeal.”
