Two men have been honoured for their work improving the lives of people who have suffered spinal cord injuries.

Andy Uttridge of Wicker Hall, Royston, and Andrew Galbraith, from Melbourn, both received awards at the Spinal Injuries Association’s national awards ceremony, held in Birmingham last week.

Mr Uttridge is Co-founder of The Rooprai Spinal Trust (RST), and was recognised for the work he has done since his partner Marrianne Rooprai was paralysed from the shoulders down in 2004. He now raises thousands of pounds each year to help research into spinal cord injuries.

“It was a great honour to receive the award, particularly as there were so many great people nominated,” He said. “We’re just doing our best to try and make a difference”.

Miss Rooprai was leaving a friend’s wedding when the car she was travelling in was involved in an accident, leaving her with a broken back. Doctors initially feared she wouldn’t pull through, and though she survived was left completely paralysed, and spent seven months in hospital.

Since then she has continued her rehabilitation, and helped with the development of technologies to assist other spinal cord injury victims.

Through RST, which launched in 2006, Mr Uttridge has set up a scholarship program at Prime Physio Specialist rehab centre in Melbourm, which is owned by Mr Galbraith. The programme awards grants to people with spinal cord injuries so they can receive free access to specialist rehabilitation.

Mr Galbraith, who was honoured for his ‘outstanding physiotherapy’, said: “We have people visiting our centre from all over Europe which is fantastic, but I hope to be able to make the specialist service we offer at Prime more readily available to all those who need it.

“It’s a shame that people have to travel so far - this kind of physio should be available to everyone which is why the RST scholarship program is so important”.

Christa Dyson an SIA Trustee and someone who herself has a spinal cord injury, said: “Many congratulations to Andy and Andrew. On behalf of the Spinal Injuries Association thank you for all that you do to support the spinal cord injured community.”

To find out more, log on to www.rstrust.com or www.primephysio.co.uk