Welcome

30 years and counting....

2024 marked the 30th anniversary of the Get A-Head Charitable Trust. 

Formed in the Midlands in 1994 by John Watkinson and Adrian Drake-Lee – two of the UK’s leading ear, nose and throat surgeons – our role has been to support people with head and neck diseases, especially cancer, to live better lives.

It’s a great achievement to be marking more than 30 years of making a difference. During the last three decades we have raised more than £10 million and now support people nationwide living with head and neck diseases.

We answer requests for help from individuals, researchers and treatment centres across the UK, funding life-changing equipment that isn’t available on the NHS, research into the causes and treatment of head and neck conditions, particularly cancer, continuing education for healthcare professionals and complementary therapies to help improve the lives of patients.

Throughout the year, we reflected on achievements, hosted the 30 Years of Impact Ball, and celebrated the difference our charity has made to people’s lives. 

There will be many opportunities for our supporters to get involved as we continue great work in 2025 and beyond.

Keep up to date with all our latest news here https://getahead.org.uk/news/ and sign-up to our newsletter (sent every 1 – 2 months) using the form in our footer.

Our Stories

Meet Wendy Davies, treasurer and trustee of the Get A-Head Charitable Trust, and learn about her role within the charity, her battle against throat cancer and her journey to recovery with our support.
Meet Tom Bromwich, Chairman of the Get A-Head Charitable Trust, and learn about how he got involved in the charity, what we do and how we support patients with head and neck disease.
Mark shares his story to raise awareness, after his dog sniffed out an aggressive cancerous tumour
Living with the long-term diagnosis of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
The family coping with loss after diagnosis of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Dealing with the effects of Xerostomia (Dry Mouth) after receiving Chemotherapy & Radiotherapy treatment for Head & Neck Cancer

AS A REGISTERED CHARITY FOR 30 YEARS WE AIM TO FIGHT HEAD AND NECK DISEASE

Welcome to Get A-Head, the charity which works tirelessly to make life better for those suffering from head and neck diseases – particularly cancer – and those who care for them.

As well as funding vital research into the causes and treatments of head and neck conditions, we pay for education and training for health professionals working in the field as well as providing vital equipment and complementary therapies to make life better for patients whose lives have been damaged by these illnesses.

Any cancer diagnosis is tough, but when it affects the head and neck cancer can take more than your physical and emotional well-being – it can take the ability to speak, hear and see as well as take some of the facial features that make us who we are.

With your help, we can continue to improve lives and work to make head and neck disease a thing of the past.

Education

Sharing information via lecturing on relevant courses, producing editorials and reviews in associated medical journals, assisting specialist training for nurses and other key personnel are all areas where Get A-Head can help.

Research

Sometimes these developments are time-consuming and expensive. This is where we can help by funding specialist research fellowships into thyroid cancer and supporting the consumable costs.

Equipment

Many of the larger, more specialised pieces of equipment just cannot be funded by the NHS, so this is where Get A-Head can help.

Our next event

Join us for one of our fundraising events

September 28, 2025
The Vitality London 10,000 celebrates both mental and physical wellbeing. It’s the only 10K in the capital to finish outside Buckingham Palace.
October 5, 2025
The Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon has grown into one of the largest and most exciting road races in the United Kingdom; and is truly a Race For Everyone. It is now one of Europe’s largest half marathons and is Wales’ largest mass participation and multi-charity fundraising event.

Volunteer

Get A-Head works to improve life for people with head and neck diseases, but we can’t do it without you!

There are plenty of ways you can help, from organising a coffee morning or running a half marathon to raising money to help us spread the word about what we do. For more ideas, inspiration or information, contact us by clicking here.

Just check the upcoming events page to find an event to get involved in, or contact us to discuss a volunteering idea of your own.