HM Plant Honda ace Steve Plater gives his support to the Fight Back Appeal

Steve Plater is backing Spinal Research’s Fight Back appeal to help raise funds for the pioneering treatments that really can change lives.

Steve had already agreed to be involved before his crash in May at the North West 200. “When I agreed to support Spinal Research’s Fight Back appeal, I couldn’t foresee that I would have an accident myself” said Steve, “I recently broke the vertebrae in my neck and it’s amazing how, in just a few seconds, your whole life could change.”

The sole aim of Spinal Research is to fund research to cure paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and the Fight Back appeal is for everyone who is passionate about motorcycling. “We want to continue our vital work and get motorcyclists back onto their bikes and doing what they love best” said Mark Bacon, Director of Research. “We thank the public for their continued support but we still need donations to keep the research moving forward.”

Groundbreaking projects funded by Spinal Research have discovered ways of helping nerves regenerate and this is now moving into a critical and very exciting phase. The trials are moving out of the laboratory and into treatments for people with paralysis. And as Steve said, if an accident happens “you could either be paralysed or be one of the lucky ones, like me, who are able to walk away, albeit after surgery. I was so lucky that I didn’t damage my spinal cord. When I got back on my bike for the first time after my accident it was awesome. To be riding in the sunshine felt so good!”

The Fight Back appeal is fronted by Dave Webb, who was paralysed some years ago and who is still a motorcycle enthusiast. Dave welcomes the help offered by Steve and other racing personalities such as Suzi Perry, Jenny Tinmouth, Neil Hodgson, James Toseland and Guy Martin who are all committed to helping Fight Back.

For updates visit www.spinal-research.org where you can make donations via Virgin Money Giving, by clicking on the link ‘Donate to Fight Back’.

Steve asks everyone to join in; “I’ll be doing all I can to support this great cause and I hope Fight Back can count on your support too.”