A retired school teacher who has supported a Suffolk brain injury charity has been shortlisted for a national award for his dedication.

A retired school teacher who has supported a Suffolk brain injury charity has been shortlisted for a national award for his dedication.

Geoffrey Knight, 75, is one of just three people in the country to be recognised at a national awards ceremony for The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award for volunteering more than 20 years of service to the local brain injury charity.

The charity helps families in Suffolk who are coming to terms with the devastating consequences of a brain injury.

Geoffrey has been a Trustee and Treasurer of Headway Suffolk since 2000 as well as teaching swimming, driving the charity’s minibus, fundraising, and supporting service members and their families.

The award nomination comes as Geoff announced his retirement.

Headway Suffolk service user Jim Brown, who sustained a brain injury as a result of someone opening their car door and knocking him off of his bike, said: “Geoffrey will be sadly missed.

“He has helped us so much and is always happy to talk things over or just be there to listen. He also plays a good game of chess. We will really miss him and hope he wins the award.”

Helen Fairweather, chief executive of Headway Suffolk, nominated Geoffrey for the award, which is named in loving memory of a brave man who defied a brain injury to help others affected before he sadly passed away.

She said that Geoffrey deserved the recognition.

She said: “Geoff is a very special man; he has volunteered for Headway Suffolk for over 20 years. He has done this simply because he cares about others and not for any personal gain.”

Geoffrey said he was very pleased and proud to be shortlisted for the national award, which is Sponsored by Slater & Gordon Lawyers.

He said: “It has come as a bit of a shock but I’m very flattered. It has been wonderful to see the charity grow over time and it has been very rewarding to be part of something that genuinely helps people tackle such adversity.”

Geoffrey said his favourite thing about volunteering at the charity was hearing everyone’s stories and watching how, with the right support, people can slowly rebuild their lives.

He said: “I have seen firsthand, over the years, how important Headway is to the people and families it supports.”