A football club owner who was paralysed at the age of 17 is now an ambassador for a spinal injuries charity.

George Dowell, of Worthing Football Club, was badly injured when he was a passenger in a car crash in 2010 and spent ten months in Salisbury Hospital's spinal injuries unit.

George, from Worthing, said: “Naturally, it was really difficult at first for my family and me to come to terms with what happened and what kind of life I might have going forward.

“It was just impossible to fully comprehend, a very overwhelming and scary time. I was in a unit with people in a similar situation to me, nurses who were really experienced and supportive as well as incredible family and friends around me so you gradually start to adapt and accept what’s happened.

“But, it was still really hard when I came home. I was very anxious and cautious about where I went and who I was with and felt very self-conscious that people were looking at me.”

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Prior to the incident, George, now 31, played for Worthing FC’s under-18s team. After hearing about their precarious financial situation in 2015 he bought the club using his compensation from the accident.

George said: “Buying the club gave me a role and a purpose, although it was and still is a steep learning curve, it has been incredibly rewarding and has changed my life.

“You quickly get to appreciate just how important local football clubs are to their communities and how important it is to take them with you on this journey, to grow in the right way.

“As much as I saved the club, it has definitely saved me too.”

Since the club has been under George’s ownership, it has benefited from improved facilities, a community outreach programme and thriving men's, women's and youth teams.

In January of this year, George was awarded an MBE for his services to association football and disability awareness.

He recently became a father - George met his partner, Jessikah, on the TV series The Undateables and the couple had a daughter in November. 

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Now George is an ambassador for Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding medical research globally for spinal cord injuries.

He said: “I was really humbled to be asked to be an ambassador for Spinal Research. It’s exciting to be a small part of supporting research into spinal cord injuries and getting breakthroughs to the people who need them.

“It’s not just about being able to walk again. There are so many things that would have so much more of an impact on my day-to-day life – like restoring bowel and bladder control for example - funding research in these areas is vital.”

Spinal Research chief executive Louisa McGinn said: “We are absolutely thrilled that George has become a Spinal Research ambassador.

“Science is moving forward, and alongside our incredible patrons, ambassadors and supporters we’re committed to raising the money that’s needed to ensure that curing paralysis will be the medical breakthrough of the 21st century.”