# New corporate sponsor for leading medical charity - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/04/15/new-corporate-sponsor-leading-medical-charity/ - Published: 2009-04-15T09:16:21+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake 9th April 2009, Bramley, Surrey. Spinal Research is delighted to announce its new corporate partnership with motorsport and automotive technology company RML Group. The charity will receive support with various fundraising initiatives, online promotions and awareness generating activities. Spinal Research based in Surrey is the UK’s leading charity funding medical research both in the UK and internationally to develop reliable treatments for paralysis caused by a broken back or neck. This announcement comes as RML provided a last minute entry into the British Touring Car Championship season opener which took place at Brands Hatch on Sunday 5th April. The car carried the Spinal Research logo and star driver Jason Plato drove the Chevrolet Lacetti into 1st place and was named Driver of the Day. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) Spinal Research supports both basic science and clinical research and aims to increase research capacity by encouraging talented young graduates into the field through its PhD studentship programme. It is estimated that there are currently in excess of 40,000 people with spinal cord injury in the UK and Ireland and there are 800 new cases every year. Carol Borwick, Head of Fundraising for Spinal Research, says ““I am thrilled to welcome RML Group as our newest corporate supporter. It is fantastic to announce this partnership as the British Touring Car Championship season begins and to have our branding on the RML entry is a great start to what we all hope will be a mutually beneficial relationship in the year to come. RML’s support will give us a great opportunity to further increase the impact and profile of the charity’s aims and objectives – and ultimately will make a difference to the thousands of paralysed people in the UK and around the world.” END ### NOTES TO EDITORS • Spinal Research focuses on finding ways to repair damaged spinal cords – something long thought impossible. Established in 1980, the charity raises money for groundbreaking projects at scientific and medical institutions around the world. In every aspect of its activities, whether in raising funds or in allocating funds to research projects, Spinal Research works in accordance with the highest scientific and ethical principles and currently receives no direct funding from the UK government. • The spinal cord, part of the central nervous system, cannot repair itself unaided. Spinal cord injury is about more than paralysis of the arms, legs and torso; it also affects sensation, the body’s control systems and sexual function. • The typical victim of spinal cord injury is a young, active person, often the victim of a road accident, fall or sporting accident – principally horse riding, diving and rugby. • More than 40,000 people in the UK are paralysed as a result of damage to the spinal cord, and around 800 more are added to this list every year. The majority of injuries occur amongst 18-35 year olds, although we are seeing an increase in age group, and each accident represents a sudden and devastating change to quality of life and expectations for the injured person as well as their friends and family. • The number of people living with paralysis caused by SCI in the UK is estimated to be between 40,000 and 50,000 (at least 2 people are paralysed here every day)– globally the figure is around 2.5 million. More than 6 times that number might be considered ‘near misses’. • Thanks to modern medicine, life expectancy for spinally injured people is near normal, but the long-term demands on medical support resources are huge. Spinal Research estimates the cost to the UK taxpayer of at least £1 billion per annum – the human cost is incalculable. • For further information on spinal cord injury and other ways to support research efforts, visit: www.spinal-research.org For further information on this press release please contact:- Polly Gould, PR Services, Tel 07747 621031, E-mail pr************@******co.uk * **[Ebico teams up with Groundwork to tackle fuel poverty](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/04/15/ebico-teams-groundwork-tackle-fuel-poverty/)**( 15 April 2009) * **[Standard Life to launch new charitable trust this year](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/05/18/standard-life-launch-new-charitable-trust-year/)**( 18 May 2009) * **[Tesco to donate £1 from sales of Slumdog Millionaire DVD](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/05/26/tesco-donate-1-sales-slumdog-millionaire-dvd/)**( 26 May 2009)