WHEN former Evening News deputy editor David Train suffered severe brain damage in a freak holiday accident more than 10 years ago, his colleagues and friends reeled from the shock.

For his family, life changed for ever. His wife, Sue, has had to come to terms with the fact that her husband was a shadow of the man she married and has devoted much of her time to looking after him.

And she is determined to care for David at home - but that, as we report on Page 4 today, requires a great deal of support.

Nonetheless, she thinks she is one of the more fortunate carers in the county because, she believes, there are many others in similar positions who do not have any outside help.

Now, together with the Wor-cester branch of Headway, she wants to set up a respite centre for David and others like him.

The organisation has raised funds for projects such as sheltered housing in recent years, but Shirley Atkins, a Headway director, says the money for a tailor-made, much-needed respite care centre would be in excess of £500,000.

As a first step, the charity wants to find out how many people from the county would use the centre if it were developed. Then, a bid for Lottery cash could be developed.

We would urge anyone who believes they would benefit from a respite centre for people with acquired brain injuries or other severe disabilities to call Shirley Atkins at Headway on 01905 729729.