Richard Spinney

Richard Spinney has been nominated for the Overcoming Adversity award, sponsored by JT.

In 2010 Richard and his family sailed to Brazil where, off the island of Fernando de Noronha, Richard was hit by a large wave that pulled him to the seabed where he broke his neck in several places, leaving him partially paralysed.

‘Richard got very lucky, he almost drowned,’ said his nominator, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Richard had emergency surgery in Brazil that left him completely paralysed, but since then he has managed to regain significant mobility with his abilities slowly increasing.

‘I’m surprised, I definitely wasn’t expecting it,’ Richard said when he heard about his nomination.

After the accident, Richard and his family moved to Guernsey where he established the local office of Henderson Green, a successful engineering consultant company.

‘He’s so successful and just soldiers on, I’m so proud of him,’ said his nominator.

Although a day’s work is a challenge, Richard is well respected by everyone.

Despite this accident affecting his mobility, ‘Richard doesn’t feel sorry for himself, he just carries on,’ said the nominator.

‘We’re all hugely proud of him, we still do have honest emotions as we’re all frustrated it happened, but Richard just does not look back.

'He carries on and I’m just so proud, there’s so many emotions for all of us but it’s mostly overwhelming pride and love for him,’ they added.

Other Finalists

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‘Truly amazing’ Alexia-Beth Ozanne has been nominated for the Overcoming Adversity award, which is sponsored by JT.

Jacques Isabelle

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Jeremy Mahoney

Jeremy Mahoney has been nominated for the Overcoming Adversity award, sponsored by JT.

Jonathan Charmley

Jonathan Charmley has been nominated for the Overcoming Adversity award, sponsored by JT.

Martine White

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Megan Cluett

Megan Cluett has been nominated for the Pride of Guernsey’s Overcoming Adversity award, sponsored by JT.

Rosie Freeman

Rosie Freeman has been nominated for the Overcoming Adversity award, sponsored by JT.