"Prior to a road accident which left him paralysed from the waist down, Steve had an active professional and sporting life. Throughout the many months in hospital at Stoke Mandeville, Steve coped with his condition with incredible bravery and humour. Following discharge, he has constantly displayed both these qualities as he mastered the transition to chair-based life. He has raised funds for the Backup Trust in a variety of innovative ways, including participating in a wheelchair airliner pulling event, and has contributed to research in chair engineering. He is the bravest person I have ever met and would make a fine Paralympic torchbearer."