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Every 90 seconds someone, somewhere suffers an ABI in the UK. In West Sussex alone, some 4000 cases are reported each year. An ABI is a life changing experience not only for the survivor, but for loved ones and family as well.

The majority of ABI survivors cannot work and have to rely on state benefits and, of course, many are cared for by family or friends. A number also have physical disabilities which further reduce their quality of life. Many suffer from loneliness, which was made worse by lockdown, and most cannot afford holidays and for some, holidays are beyond their physical abilities.

Who we are

The Trustee Board is made up of the following:

Name	Position
Trevor Hines	Chairman and Trustee
Robert Aylott	Treasurer and Trustee
Sandy Simpson	Secretary and Trustee
Catherine Toplis	Trustee
Glynis Wood	Trustee

There are no staff and none of the Trustee are paid.

What are we aiming to do

FABIS was formed to provide holidays and social events for ABI survivors to improve their mental health, interact with others and give them hope for the future. We generally do not consider applications from ABI survivors under 18 and over 60.

How we help

We, as a Charity, give a grant to allow ABI survivors to have a holiday principally in the UK and we organise social events within West Sussex. If required, carers can accompany the ABI survivor on holiday and to social events but may have to make a contribution to the cost.

We work with specialist travel companies to provide group holidays. Please state in the application form if you would like to be kept informed of forthcoming holidays. We will also consider help with funding other holidays, but we would need to ensure that they comply with our exacting standards.

Obviously, the levels of funding for holidays will take into account the applicants financial situation but this does not preclude self funders from going on the holidays where possible. The charity also offers free and subsidised social events too.

How are we funded

Starting with a grant from the Anne Merriman Trust, FABIS is entirely funded by donations and fundraising events FABIS is a small charity and with no staff and no overhead costs. So all our income goes to supporting ABI survivors.

How ABI survivors go about applying for a holiday

There is an application form ready to download on this website or if this is difficult to do then ABI survivors can apply via their support group coordinator or the mobile phone number for FABIS.

Organising a social event

From time to time we plan to organise social events. These include dinners, bbq’s and day trips to regional attractions. Subject to financial status ABI survivors will not be charged. If you wish to be kept informed of forthcoming events please email us and we will put you on our mailing list.

We are happy to consider funding existing support group ideas for social events and other meetings within West Sussex. Please email us at [email protected] with any ideas that you may have for group events.

Fund-raising events

Although we are initially funded by a legacy we intend to raise further funds for the charity to enable it to continue its work and will be organising fund raising events each year which we will publicise.

Want to get in touch? Head over to our contact page to find out how!

Partners/Other charities? We work with other charities and organisations to enable holidays and social events eg

• Donald Wilson House
• Headway Sussex
• Social Services
• Grant making charities