Meet our ambassadors

Steve Brown

Ambassador since 2018 supporting our purpose to be the expert guiding voice for life after spinal cord injury (SCI)

Steve was 23 years old when he sustained a spinal cord injury that changed the course of his life. Steve left hospital in October 2005 and in that same month he took part in his first wheelchair rugby training session. Steve’s potential in the sport was quickly spotted by the Great Britain squad and in 2007 he was part of the team that won gold in the European Championships and in London 2012 Paralympics, Steve led his team to a fifth-place. Since 2012, Steve has been increasingly present on television, for numerous channels and in a variety of roles, including ‘Countryfile’ and ‘Escape to the Country’.

Jonathan Goodwin

Ambassador since July 2023 supporting our goal of a UK government and public championing the cause of people with SCI.

Jonathan has performed as an escapologist and daredevil on every continent except Antarctica, in every US State except Alaska and was seen on British television in the final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2019.  In 2021 Jonathan was involved in an accident while rehearsing a stunt for American TV. The accident left Jonathan with multiple injuries including a spinal cord injury.  Now retired from stunt performing he has turned his attention to writing, presenting, hypnotherapy and being a ‘roll’ model (pun intended). He is engaged to the actress Amanda Abbington.

Amanda Abbington

Ambassador since July 2023 supporting our goal to double the number of members with SCI by raising awareness of our vital support services.

“The families of those with spinal cord injury are often desperate to find the vital information they need to support their loved one. I want to help this charity reach and support more people than ever before.”

Amanda is a familiar face on stage and screen and is probably best known for her roles in BBC TV’s ‘Sherlock’ and ITV’s ‘Mr Selfridge’ She met Jonathan Goodwin prior to his accident and the couple believe the whole experience, although traumatic at the time, has brought them even closer together.

Mohammed Belal

Ambassador since Sept 2023 supporting our approach to build vital specialist expertise across the health and care sector.

“I am supporting one of SIA’s key goals, a health and care system that works for people with spinal cord injury.”

Mohammed Belal is a consultant urological surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham with a specialist interest in neuro-urology and urinary tract reconstruction. He is the current chair of the British Association of Urological Surgeons Section of Female Functional Urology. Whilst cycling with a friend in 2021 he had an accident which resulted in spinal cord injury. After multiple operations and eight months in hospital with over one thousand hours of rehabilitation, he has returned to his career as a urological surgeon.

Zoe Fox

Ambassador since 2025 supporting our goal to increase the number of members with SCI by raising awareness of our vital support services to new communities.

In 2020, Zoe sustained a spinal cord injury L4/L5 (Cauda Equina Syndrome) that changed the course of her life. Navigating disability, chronic pain, and recovery as a woman of colour, she has become a passionate advocate for accessibility, representation, and holistic approaches to healing. Zoe brings deep insight from her counselling training, energy studies, personal development work, and rich life experience. She is currently writing her debut book, set for publication by Hay House in 2026.

Niall McCann

Ambassador since 2025 supporting our vision of a fulfilled life for everyone affected by SCI.

Niall has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, skied across Greenland, cycled over the Himalayas, and been on multiple rock climbing and mountaineering trips around the world.  In 2016 Niall sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury in a speed flying accident which affected every aspect of his life. In the years since his injury Niall has found ways to overcome this and has returned to a life of adventure, most recently leading a team of three with spinal cord injury to ski across the largest icecap in Europe.

Dani Czernuszka-Watts

Ambassador since 2025 supporting our goal of a UK public and government championing the cause.

Dani Watts (35) from Reading sustained a T10 spinal cord injury as the result of an illegal rugby tackle and shares her lived experience to raise awareness of life after injury, whilst being the best role model to her three children by breaking down barriers that she is met with in everyday life. She says that often the hardest things to talk about are the ones that need to be heard.  Dani is part of our Women’s Health Taskforce, which is advocating for equal healthcare for all women, particularly women with spinal cord injuries.