Our Variety Ambassador, Matt King LLB, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his charitable work. Matt was seriously injured playing in a rugby league match for the London Broncos Academy in 2004. Following his injury, Matt’s life completely changed and he was left completely paralysed below the neck and unable to breathe independently.

However, he returned to his studies, gaining a First Class Honours Law degree and now works as a trainee solicitor for a London firm.

Matt is a wonderful ambassador of our work and we are very pleased to have been able to support him through the provision of a specialist wheelchair following his accident. Matt said,


“It is such a great honour for me to receive this OBE and I am deeply humbled to have even been considered.”
“I would like to thank my family and all those who have assisted me since my accident, particularly from the rugby league community.”
“The support I have received has made coming to terms with my injury, and my new life, a great deal easier, and for that I will always be thankful.”
“I hope this honour can provide extra publicity and profile to those who work so hard on behalf of people with serious spinal injuries.”

Matt is not only wonderful supporter of Variety as he is also a fundraiser for the Rugby Football League’s Benevolent Fund.

Everyone at Variety, the Children’s Charity, would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Matt on this wonderful award and we can’t wait to see him as an Olympic Torchbearer on July 9th! Congratulations must also go to another great Variety supporter, Joe Longthorne, who has been awarded an MBE for his charitable work. Thank you to Joe for all of his support over the many years he has worked with Variety!