The Brain Charity

When Simon’s father passed away in 2011, he left behind more than memories — he left behind a story that had gone largely unheard. His condition, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (a rare and complex form of dementia often linked to alcoholism), had progressed rapidly, leaving Simon and his family struggling to understand what was happening as his father’s behaviour shifted dramatically. 

Years later, Simon would move thousands of miles from home — but the echoes of his father’s final years would lead him to do something unexpected and impactful. 

(Simon’s parents Hayward & Lana; 1983)

The long goodbye

Simon was just 27 when he lost his dad. In the years leading up to his father’s passing, he watched a man who had once been a curious, creative, technically-minded photographer slowly fade. His father had worked as an engineer, but photography was his true passion. In his youth Summers were for capturing the world; winters were for developing his work in a makeshift darkroom. 

But after the loss of his job, other major life changes, and — most painfully — the tragic death of Simon’s brother in a motor vehicle accident, his dad’s cognition worsened. Then came the confusion, the strange behaviours, and the memory loss. 

“He’d talk about places he’d never been, experiences that never happened. He became someone I didn’t recognise.” 

Eventually, his father’s condition meant he needed assisted living — and within a year, 24/7 care. In the end, he couldn’t speak. He didn’t know who Simon was. 

(Picture taken on Simon’s father’s camera: Rovijn Street)

The click of a shutter, and a shift in perspective 

In 2024, Simon relocated to Mexico. Work had quietened down, and he found himself with time, space, and — unexpectedly — inspiration. 

While unpacking, he found one of his father’s old cameras. Holding that camera, Simon felt a connection spark — to his dad, to the art they both loved, and to something more: purpose. 

Simon thought:

“Wouldn’t it be nice to take something he passed on to me, and use it to help other people going through what he went through?” 

Photography for a purpose 

Simon opened an Etsy shop in 2024 to sell prints made with his father’s camera — both his dad’s original stills and Simon’s own with 50% of the profits donated to The Brain Charity. 

When researching Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, Simon was struck by how few charities even mentioned the condition. Ours did. 

“I liked that your work is broad — you support people with all kinds of neurological conditions. But you’re not so big it feels like throwing a coin into the ocean. You’re personal. You care. That mattered to me.”

He didn’t set out to become a fundraiser. He simply saw a gap, and he filled it the way he knew how — through art, compassion, and storytelling. 

(Picture taken on Simon’s father’s camera: Red Phone Booth)

Creating space for forgotten stories 

Neurological conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome — often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and invisible — can leave families feeling in the dark.

“When my dad was diagnosed with a condition few people had even heard of, the nurses and carers were the ones who made sense of the chaos. They treated him with dignity, compassion, and skill in a situation where the textbooks offered little guidance. I would have been left to deal with trying to understand Dad’s condition alone without their support. It’s their invaluable work we need to champion.”

Simon feels lucky to have had the support of the medical professionals he did and wants to make sure that others didn’t feel alone in similar situations.. 

“Neurological disorders can be horrendous. Anything a charity can do to help… I just wanted to be part of that.” 

Simon’s contribution might not involve ultramarathons or endurance swims, but its impact is real. It speaks to the power of using what you have — a camera, a story, a creative spark — to make a difference. 

A picture worth a thousand words 

Now living in Mexico and enjoying his freelance career, Simon continues to donate from his Etsy shop and contribute creatively to The Brain Charity. He’s even supported us with digital media, video editing, and photo content. 

“Hopefully, it does have a little story. It is unique. And hey, I don’t have to run 26 miles — so it has its perks.” 

If you’d like to support Simon’s work, you can explore his Etsy shop here — every purchase supports people with neurological conditions, just like his dad. 

And if you want to take action in memory of someone you love, we’d love to help. Whether you’re an artist, athlete, baker, or storyteller, there’s space for you in our community. Because no one should face a neurological condition alone. 

(Picture taken on Simon’s father’s camera: Venice Canal)