Father of late Welsh rugby player receives MBE for spinal injury charity work

Rob Blundell has been awarded an MBE for founding and leading a charity that raised more than £600,000 for spinal cord injury research and awareness following his son's death. Paul-André Blundell, known as P-A, suffered a neck injury during a September 2001 rugby match that left him paralysed from the chin down. He died five months later from a blood clot in his lung at age 26.

Background on the injury and charity Blundell and his wife established Trust PA after their son's death. The charity's Eyes Up campaign was adopted by the Welsh Rugby Union and Rugby Football Union and later incorporated into World Rugby guidance on tackling safety.

The couple spent every day at their son's hospital bedside during his recovery.

comments on the award Actor Matthew Rhys, who attended primary school and Scouts with Paul-André Blundell, said no one is "more deserving" of the honour. " Spinal Research charity is merging Trust PA's work into a new P-A Blundell Legacy Fund that will support three-year PhD studentships in spinal cord repair.

" Rob Blundell called the MBE "totally unexpected but wonderful" and said he accepts it on behalf of his wife and all supporters of the charity.