http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1200281/Richard-Hammond-gives-hope-children-brain-injuries-opens-7m-rehabilitation-centre.html
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, who suffered brain injuries after a failed car stunt, opened a new rehabilitation centre for children with similar injuries.
The TV host was hurt during an accident while filming for the BBC2 show in 2006 and has suffered with depression since his recovery. Yesterday, he met children, parents and staff at £7million The Children's Trust in Tadworth, Surrey, where the youngsters will get help rebuilding their lives.
The venture, funded entirely by voluntary donations, will help children with brain injuries caused by an accident or illness. The broadcaster, who is vice-president of the trust, said: 'I know only too well the challenges people face following a severe brain injury, but for a child there are extra dimensions because their brains are still developing.' Hammond, nicknamed the Hamster by Top Gear colleagues James May and Jeremy Clarkson, was filming at Elvington airfield, near York, when his jet-powered Vampire dragster blew a tyre, veered off the runway, flipped over several times and crashed on to grass. He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary where he stayed for five weeks and was treated for swelling to the brain and bruising.
The daredevil presenter said he 'suffered mortally with depression' and lost all his coping mechanisms after his 298mph crash.
After visiting the new residential centre, he added: 'This amazing new building will help The Children's Trust's specially trained staff give these children the best chance of rebuilding their lives.' He was escorted on his visit by Chas, a 13-year-old who was severely injured in a skiing accident in 2008.
Andrew Ross, chief executive of The Children's Trust, said: 'Our challenge was to design a facility for the nursing and care of children with the most complex physical, psychological and social needs without losing sight of our main purpose: to give the children a road back to normality, marrying expert care with a 'can do' attitude to disability.'
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