Hollywood actor left 'devastated' by friend's death after horror rugby tackle

Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys has backed a new fund established to carry forward the extraordinary legacy of his childhood friend Paul-André Blundell, who passed away months after being left paralysed by a devastating rugby tackle.

Blundell – lovingly called "PA" – played for Wales at under-19 level but was paralysed from the chin down whilst representing Keynsham against Maidenhead in 2001. Despite showing signs of improvement during recovery, he passed away unexpectedly just five months later, aged 26, after developing a blood clot in his lung.

His passing sent shockwaves through Welsh rugby and left his family and friends heartbroken. Amongst them was actor Rhys, recognised for roles including Kevin Walker in Brothers and Sisters and Philip Jennings in The Americans, earning him two Golden Globe Award nominations and a Primetime Emmy Award, reports Wales Online.

Rhys was raised alongside Blundell in Cardiff and admits the tragedy has stayed with him.

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"Paul-André was my good friend since childhood," said Rhys, who serves as patron of the new P-A Blundell Legacy Fund.

"To see him paralysed during the rugby accident, totally dependent even months later, and then his death from an embolism, was utterly devastating.

"I'm still keen to help support the vital work to provide treatments to restore breathing, sensation and function to benefit others, like P-A, who suffer a high-level, life-changing spinal cord injury."

Since 2002, Blundell's parents Rob and Gerri, from Whitchurch in Cardiff, have campaigned tirelessly in his memory.

Through their charity, Trust PA, they have raised more than £600,000 to support pioneering research and to make rugby safer. Rhys and fellow Hollywood star Ioan Gruffudd have been huge supporters of the initiative.

Their "EYES UP" Safe Play Rugby Campaign, which encouraged players – particularly schoolboys – to protect themselves in tackles, was even adopted by World Rugby.

Now they have joined forces with Spinal Research, the UK's leading charity working to repair and restore the spinal cord, to launch the P-A Blundell Legacy Fund.

The fund will support PhD studentships aimed at finding life-changing treatments for paralysis.

Blundell's mum Gerri said her son's courage after his injury had been inspirational.

"P-A's courage and optimism post-injury were inspirational," she said.

"He had accepted the challenge to progress positively and make the best of his life and new paralysed circumstances.

"It has been quite incredible the money we have been able to raise in his name to support research and we are so pleased that this work will continue through the P-A Blundell Legacy Fund with Spinal Research.

"We have genuine hope that the amazing breakthroughs we are now seeing will soon lead to life-changing treatments for people paralysed after a spinal cord injury."

Gerri previously recalled the tragic incident from years ago, saying: "The Maidenhead game was apparently a grudge match, which we didn't know until afterwards. He came out of the ruck, turned, and tried to match them for the ball. There was a bit of a scuffle – he fell down and never came back up again.

"He put his head down [in the tackle], tumbled forward, and just fell like a rag doll. The match carried on for a while as many of the players didn't notice how badly he was injured."

Spinal Research CEO Louisa McGinn commended the Blundells' resilience.

"Rob and Gerri are a truly remarkable couple who have taken the worst tragedy that a parent can face and, in their son's memory, worked tirelessly over the last 23 years to try and make a difference for others," she said.

Paul-André, an alumnus of Llandaff Cathedral School and Uwic - now Cardiff Met - was described by his mum as "a strong, charismatic man" who led a busy, active life before the tackle that changed everything. His story continues to inspire efforts to find a cure for paralysis.

If you would like to donate to Spinal Research, you can do so here.