Hartlepool granddad remembered for love of rugby and devotion to family

Tributes have been paid to a much-loved grandad and former rugby player as his family raise funds in his memory for the medical team that spent more than two decades caring for him.

By Sophie Brownson

Published 29th Dec 2020, 15:58 BST

Updated 29th Dec 2020, 15:58 BST

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Robert Palmer – known to many as ‘Pedro’ – sadly died at James Cook University Hospital on December 13 following a fight with pneumonia.

The 70-year-old from Hartlepool was left paralysed from the chest down in a car accident in 1997 on West View Road in the town, but his family say he continued to have a good life.

Following his accident Robert spent 23 years in and out of the James Cook Hospital spinal injury unit undergoing treatment and now his family have launched a fundraiser for the unit in his memory.

Robert Palmer – known to many as ‘Pedro’ - has been remembered as a keen rugby player and family man.

Robert Palmer – known to many as ‘Pedro’ - has been remembered as a keen rugby player and family man.

Already a Just Giving Page has raised £600 of its £1,000 target, thanks to the support of family and friends.

Hartlepool Foodbank feeds over 3,000 since Covid outbreak and says 'we haven't s...

Daughter Jemma Palmer hopes further funds will be raised in the coming days, having been unable to donate her dad’s equipment to the hospital because of the pandemic.

The 42-year-old said: “He was a well-known man in the town who worked as a doorman for a long time at the Park Hotel and played for a lot of the town’s rugby clubs including Hartlepool Old Boys RFC, Hartlepool Athletic RFC and Hartlepool Rovers RFC.

Robert played as a loose end prop for many of the town’s rugby clubs during his younger days.

Robert played as a loose end prop for many of the town’s rugby clubs during his younger days.

"The spinal injury unit have done so much for dad over the years since the accident and as a result, we as a family, would like to give something back to them in his memory.”

Dad to Jemma Palmer, Dean Palmer, Anthony Palmer and Philip Palmer, Robert also had 10 grandchildren – with his eleventh grandchild due in two weeks.

A huge rugby fan, he took up the sport at Dyke House School and went on to play as a loose end prop for many of the town’s rugby clubs during his younger days.

He will be laid to rest in an Athletic rugby jersey following a service at St Oswald's Church, Hartlepool, on December 30.

A family man, Robert has 10 grandchildren with his eleventh grandchild due in a matter of weeks.

A family man, Robert has 10 grandchildren with his eleventh grandchild due in a matter of weeks.

Jemma added: “He was a big character who loved his family and grandkids.”

To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/robertpedropalmer?utm_term=29DyRYNWe

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.