Former chef aims to make British Olympic wheelchair rugby team

A chef who broke his neck in a holiday accident two years ago is looking for sponsorship to help make the British wheelchair rugby team for the Athens Olympics in 2004.

James Price, who worked in a number of hotels in Devon, including the Imperial in Torquay and the Palace in Babbacombe, was paralysed after he dived into a sandbank in the sea while on holiday in Majorca.

Industry charity Hospitality Action helped to pay for a specially adapted wheelchair. Now the charity is helping to publicise his bid for funding to help with travel costs between Torquay, where he lives, and Cardiff, where he plays his rugby. Wheelchair rugby is a four-a-side game played on a basketball court.

Since his accident Price has been unable to work as a chef, but has studied tourism management and hopes to go to university in Cardiff to further his studies.

Price is now part of the British wheelchair rugby development squad, and will represent his country in the Rugby World Friendship tour this July. Anyone interested in supporting him should contact Hospitality Action on 020 7840 9000.

by David Harris