Actor Matthew Rhys backs new Spinal Research fund in friend’s memory
Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys has become Patron of a new Spinal Research fund to continue the remarkable legacy of his friend, paralysed in a freak rugby tackle.
Paul-André Blundell, who played for the Welsh Under-19s rugby team, was known affectionately as P-A. He was paralysed from the chin down after being tackled during a match in 2001 and died unexpectedly just over five months later from a blood clot in his lung. He was just 26.
Ever since the tragedy his heartbroken parents, Rob and Gerri from Whitchurch in Cardiff, have raised funds to develop new spinal injury treatments and campaigned to make rugby safer.
The charity set up in their son’s name, Trust PA, has raised more than £600,000 and their ‘EYES UP’ Safe Play Rugby Campaign was adopted by World Rugby.
Now they have joined forces with Spinal Research to create the P-A Blundell Legacy Fund which will support the next generation of researchers. Money raised will help fund three-year PhD studentships in spinal cord repair and restoration.
Emmy-winning actor Matthew Rhys is Patron of the new Fund and said: “Paul-André was my good friend since childhood. To see him paralysed during the rugby accident, totally dependent even months later and then his death from an embolism, was utterly devastating.
Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys
“I'm …. keen to help support the vital work to provide treatments to restore breathing, sensation and function to benefit others, like P-A, who suffer a high level, life-changing spinal cord injury.”
“I’m still keen to help support the vital work to provide treatments to restore breathing, sensation and function to benefit others, like P-A, who suffer a high level, life-changing spinal cord injury.”
Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed after a spinal cord injury – it can happen to anyone at any time with devastating consequences for them and their loved ones.
Spinal Research, which has worked closely with Trust PA over many years, funds and supports the most promising lines of research and researchers developing cure-orientated therapies – including the first function-restoring treatment in history which will be launched in the UK early next year.
Paul-André’s Mum Gerri, said: “P-A’s courage and optimism post-injury were inspirational. He had accepted the challenge to progress positively and make the best of his life and new paralysed circumstances.
“Learning about the scientific progress even then being made inspired him to want to be involved in future clinical trials to repair paralysis.
“It has been quite incredible the money we have been able to raise in his name to support research and we are so pleased that this work will continue through the P-A Blundell Legacy Fund with Spinal Research.
“We have genuine hope that the amazing breakthroughs we are now seeing will soon lead to life-changing treatments for people paralysed after a spinal cord injury.”
Rob and Gerri Blundell with their son Paul-André shortly after the rugby accident that left him paralysed.
Spinal Research funds two PhD studentships a year encouraging the development of talented and highly motivated young scientists in the field with many former recipients now running their own world-class labs.
Chief Executive Louisa McGinn said: “Rob and Gerri are a truly remarkable couple who have taken the worst tragedy that a parent can face and, in their son’s memory, worked tirelessly over the last 23 years to try and make a difference for others.
“Their love and devotion for Paul-André, each other and their other son Steve, is inspirational and we are honoured to take their work forward through this new Legacy Fund in P-A’s name.”
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