2 days ago
Brain injury in football campaigner receives MBE at Windsor Castle
The daughter of footballer Jeff Astle says she had "the most wonderful time" after being officially appointed MBE at Windsor Castle for her work raising awareness of brain injuries in legendary West Bromwich Albion striker was 59 when he died in 2002 from brain trauma which an inquest found was caused by heading heavy leather Astle, from Measham in Leicestershire, set up The Jeff Astle Foundation to raise awareness of brain injury in sport and offer support to those was appointed MBE in the New Year Honours and received the honour from the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony on Wednesday.
Ms Astle said it had been a day she and her family would never forget."From driving down The Long Walk, walking through the marvellous rooms within the castle, meeting really friendly staff who literally couldn't do enough for you right through to to being presented my MBE by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales," she said."It probably sounds crazy but I even felt the presence of my lovely dad. He may not have been with us in body but I felt he was with us, his family."Receiving this royal award is an incredible honour and I will always be grateful to all those who have supported us and believed in us along this journey, especially in the early days."I will always be really proud that although dementia robbed my dad of his life far too soon, it gave us, his family, the strength and the ability to start the discussions around dementia in the game."
