Sad Passing of our friend Peter Banyard

Friend of Trust PA Mr. PETER BANYARD

We are sorry to share the very sad news that Peter Banyard has passed away. 

During his career, Peter had been an officer in the British Army, but later was seriously injured and paralysed. Always interested in spinal regeneration, he became CEO at Spinal Research, a role which he undertook with the greatest of integrity and diligence.

Indeed, he was a pivotal part of our early Trust PA Spinal Injury decision- making process, by helping us to understand the fine detail and possibilities towards a positive SCI paralysis repair solution.

He was keen to support our efforts and attended several dinners. Given the effort this took for him, we really appreciated it.  We well remember his speech to share, that by using our donated Trust PA funds, the scientific committee found important philanthropic backing to secure the first £1m. towards the first Spinal Repair Unit for Prof geoff Raisman & his team.. He kept us informed of research while cheering our successes.

We will all miss him and his genial sense of humour in great adversity.. Everyone from Trust PA send very best wishes and sincere condolences to Peter's family and friends. 

Posted : - 23rd July 2017 

Article copied from: theguardian

Peter Banyard obituary

Alex Baird         Sunday 1 October 2017 

Peter Banyard’s work as a historian and journalist included a history of the tea trade and the internationally successful Natural Wonders of the World (1978)

My friend Peter Banyard, who has died aged 70, lived for 50 years as a tetraplegic following an accident suffered as an officer cadet in the Royal Green Jackets. Although he had to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life, he succeeded in carving out a career as a journalist, historian and director of the charity Spinal Research.

Born in Kolkata (then Calcutta), he was the second son of Peter and Deirdre Banyard. His father was a tea broker who continued to work in India after independence, then the family moved to the UK, where Peter was educated at Marlborough college and Cambridge University, where he studied history.

After university he joined the army, almost immediately suffering the accident that almost cost him his life and meant that he required constant care. He spent several years in hospital, followed by a long period of rehabilitation, during which, despite his limited dexterity, he gradually learned the skills not only to become a successful journalist and author, but also to drive, erratically, a specially adapted car.

Peter’s work as a historian and journalist included a history of the tea trade and the internationally successful Natural Wonders of the World(1978) which looked at the scientific explanations for the formation of some of nature’s greatest landmarks. In later years, from 2006 to 2013, he was publications editor for the Association of Lloyds Members, writing knowledgably and irreverently on the world of finance.

He became central to the growth of Spinal Research, and during his 16 years with the charity he helped raise substantial sums that financed a worldwide research effort into spinal cord injuries. Funds raised through his efforts included the biggest ever grant made by the Injured Jockeys Fund.

During his time with the charity he worked as research director, chief executive, and then director of development. His particular skill was to deploy humour, clarity and deep personal understanding of the effects of spinal trauma in a way that bridged the gap between research scientists and potential funders.

Peter maintained a wide circle of friends from his days at school and university, as well as from his long and varied working life. He is survived by his nephew, George.