RML Motorsport

03/04/2009

RML Group is delighted to be able to announce a new partnership with international medical research charity Spinal Research.  RML will work to help raise the charity's profile and has pledged to help increase donations during the next 12 months.

Formed in 1984, and celebrating its 25^th Anniversary this year, RML will support Spinal Research with various fundraising initiatives, online promotions, and awareness generating activities to a new audience for the charity.

This is RML's first major involvement with a charity and the association has been fully endorsed by Ray Mallock who has suffered various back injuries during his career.  To kick off this relationship, RML will place the Spinal Research logo on its last minute BTCC entry, driven by star driver Jason Plato, in this weekend's season opener at Brands Hatch to be televised on ITV4.

Spinal Research 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.  It 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."

About Spinal Research

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.

The spinal cord, part of the central nervous system, the essential highway of communication between the brain and the rest of the body, 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 higher up the spinal column an injury occurs the more extensive the paralysis.  Damage at the top of the spine is likely to make unaided breathing impossible.

The typical sufferer 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.  The majority of injuries occur amongst 18-35 year olds although we are seeing an increase in the number of elderly victims.  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

Every year around 800 people in the UK and Ireland are paralysed following a spinal cord injury (SCI).  The number of people living with paralysis caused by SCI in the UK is estimated to be between 40,000 and 50,000 – globally the figure is around 2.5 million.  More than 6 times that number might be considered "near misses".

Whilst each accident has overwhelming consequences for the individual, the total number affected is not large enough to attract funding from government or the major pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments.

Thanks to modern medicine, life expectancy for spinally injured people is near normal, but the long-term demands on medical and 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 more information on Spinal Research, please visit: www.spinal-research.org, or contact Carol Borwick, Head of Fundraising on +44 1483 898786 or carol@spinal-research.org.

For further information please contact RML:

Rupert Manwaring - Sponsorship & Marketing Director

Tel:  +44 1933 402440 

Email: rupertm@rmlmallock.co.uk

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