A man who suffered a serious brain injury cheered on his sister as she took part in the Manchester half-marathon.

Seven years ago, Thomas Barnes, 29, suffered a major brain injury which changed his life. 

This weekend sister Taylor, 31, took part in the 13.1-mile race to raise funds for Headway - The Brain Injury Association. 

The family from Whalley all turned out to cheer Taylor as she pounded the streets of Manchester alongside hundreds of other runners.

Mum Nicola said: “It was a very emotional and memorable day for our family.

"Tom and his family could not be prouder of Taylor’s achievements in completing the Manchester half marathon. 

“Tom cheered his sister and her partner Jack on at the 5k mark from his chair.”

Tom and Nicola then drove round and managed to see Taylor near the end of the race.

Nicola added: “Taylor said it definitely helped her to finish the race seeing her brother along the way. 

“Taylor said it was painful and she struggled with her breathing at times.

“She kept telling herself that her brother had suffered much worse and she must go on.

"It will be a day for Tom to remember hopefully as he has no short-term memory at all now. 

“We love you so much Taylor you’re amazing.”

Taylor's efforts were all the more remarkable as she is not a runner and struggles with her own health.

She suffers from epilepsy, asthma, and has bad knees, but says she ‘found the strength’ through the trauma after watching her brother suffer. 

Taylor, from Ramsbottom, said: “Since 2017, Headway Central Lancashire has been a constant support for my family.

"Headway are a smaller charity and rely on donations to provide services to those with ABI.

"Headway is vital and offers support, companionship and understanding in their communities.”

Nicola said in 2017, her son Tom, who was 22 at the time, collapsed.

Nicola said Tom had bravely attempted to carry on with his life despite his illness.

He was later put in an induced coma and had a scan which revealed he had a midline shift of the brain, a bleed caused by the fall and fractured skull.”

When Tom regained consciousness he could not walk or talk or eat. 

Headway - The Brain Injury Association says every 90 seconds someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with an acquired brain injury (ABI).

There are many possible causes, such as a fall, a road traffic accident, an assault, a tumour or a stroke.