At Harry’s HAT, we’re excited to launch our brand-new Catch It Early Challenge, a fun and engaging social media campaign designed to raise both vital awareness of hydrocephalus and much-needed funds to support our work.
The challenge is simple: participants film themselves attempting to catch a soft hat on a body part of their choice, whether that’s their head, arm, foot, shoulder, or somewhere more creative. Once they’ve completed their catch, they’re encouraged to make a donation of £7.70, share an important message about hydrocephalus and the importance of early diagnosis, before nominating three others to take part.
By combining a light-hearted challenge with a serious life-saving message, we hope to spark conversations, educate communities, and help more families recognise the signs of hydrocephalus sooner.
WHY ‘CATCH IT EARLY’?
Hydrocephalus, often referred to as “water on the brain,” is a serious neurological condition caused by an abnormal build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain. Without early diagnosis and treatment, the condition can lead to increased pressure inside the skull, causing significant brain damage and, in rare cases, becoming life-threatening.
For babies and young children, the signs of hydrocephalus can sometimes be subtle. One of the earliest and most important indicators can be a rapidly growing or unusually large head circumference. In some cases, this may be the first or only visible sign that something is wrong.
This is why regular head measurements form an important part of routine growth monitoring in infancy. Identifying concerns early allows healthcare professionals to investigate further and provide treatment as quickly as possible, helping to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and families.
The message behind our challenge is clear: when it comes to hydrocephalus, catching it early can make a life-changing difference.
Why £7.70?
Hydrocephalus affects approximately 1 in every 770 babies born in the UK. To highlight this statistic and help support our work, we’re asking every participant to make a suggested donation of £7.70 when taking part in the challenge.
Every donation helps Harry’s HAT continue raising awareness of hydrocephalus, supporting families affected by the condition, funding educational initiatives, and campaigning for changes to medical guidelines around routine infant head measurements.
How to Take Part
Getting involved couldn’t be easier:
- Make a £7.70 donation to support Harry’s HAT.
- Film yourself trying to catch a soft hat on a body part of your choice.
- Share a message about how catching hydrocephalus early can change lives.
- Post your video on social media using the campaign hashtag #CatchItEarlyChallenge, and tag Harry’s HAT in your post.
- Nominate friends, family, colleagues, or local organisations to take part next.
Whether your catch is impressive, funny, or completely unsuccessful, every video helps spread awareness and reach new audiences with a message that could make a real difference.
Help Us Spread the Word
The Catch It Early Challenge isn’t just about catching a hat. It’s about helping people recognise a condition that is often misunderstood, promoting the importance of monitoring infant growth, and ensuring that more children receive the timely diagnosis and treatment they need.
By taking part, donating, and sharing the challenge, you’re helping us reach more people with an important message: awareness saves lives, and early diagnosis matters.
Together, we can make sure more people know the signs of hydrocephalus and understand why it’s so important to Catch It Early.
