Former special forces operative Toby Gutteridge has been awarded an Honorary Degree by Bournemouth University in recognition of his strength and resilience in rebuilding his life, and inspiring others, after being paralysed in Afghanistan.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Toby overcame a difficult and turbulent youth to pursue a life of service and purpose. At the age of 19, he moved to the UK and joined the Royal Marines. He went on to pass the elite UK Special Forces selection, becoming one of the youngest ever to join the Special Boat Service.
In 2009, during a night operation in Afghanistan, Toby was shot through the neck. The injury shattered his spine, leaving him paralysed from the neck down and permanently reliant on a ventilator. During his long and painful rehabilitation, he faced immense physical and emotional challenges, including a period of deep depression. At his lowest point, he questioned whether life was still worth living.
Through extraordinary strength and support, he chose not only to survive - but to rebuild. Recognising that his body was no longer able to do what he wanted, he decided to make the most of his mental strength to set out on a new path.
Toby returned to education, completing his GCSEs and A-levels before graduating from Bournemouth University in 2018 with First Class Honours in Business Studies.
He went on to found Bravery, an extreme sports and lifestyle brand that reflects his ethos of courage, authenticity and living life to the full.
Toby is also the author of Never Will I Die, a memoir that has inspired readers around the world and is set to be adapted for film.
When asked how he felt about receiving his award, Toby said, "I was shocked, wasn't expecting it at all and felt a bit bowled over but after it sank in, I was really proud."
Toby’s advice to the Bournemouth University graduates in the hall with him as they begin the next chapter in their lives was, “The road is long and sometimes things don't always go your way and you get setbacks. These are the things you have no control over, however what you do have control over is what you do moving forward from there. That's what's important and that's what matters so whatever happens just keep going and never give up."
Toby received his Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration and Bournemouth University’s graduation ceremony at the Bournemouth International Centre on 4 November.
