A TEENAGER, paralysed in a rugby tackle in 2012, is gearing up to take on his A-Levels and land a place on a college sports course.

George Claxton was playing for Blackburn U15s rugby team when he committed to a tackle and was flipped over by the momentum of his body crashing into his opponent.

He had to undergo a major operation and was left wheelchair-bound.

But the St Wilfrid’s Sixth Form student, who lives in Sandringham Close, is bidding to gain a set of A-Levels to allow him to attend Edge Hill University to study sports development and management.

After passing his GCSEs with flying colours, George is setting his sights on the future. The 18-year-old said: “I’m really looking forward to going to university this summer if I pass my A-Levels. It looks like a really exciting course and I can’t wait to start.”

George, who is also continuing in his bid to qualify for the 2016 Paralympics in wheelchair rugby, has lent his support to the North West Spinal Unit at Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust which received a negative review from the Care Quality Commission.

The unit would be the primary place of care for anyone who suffers a spinal injury in the north west. Following a recent inspection the trust has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’ and only gained a positive review in one area, caring.

It’s handling of safety, responsiveness, whether it is well-led and effective were all considered to be below standard.

George, who was treated by doctors in Sheffield because the north west unit was full, said: “I would like to see the trust provide the same high-level of care that I received when I was being treated in Yorkshire.

“The doctors and nurses there were fantastic and I could not have asked for more.

“People should always be given the best care possible and I hope that things will improve at Southport.”

The trust’s chief executive Jonathan Parry said: “At the end of the inspection in November, the Care Quality Commission inspectors said we had ‘fantastic, caring and proud staff’.