Christopher Reeve's daughter Alexandra welcomes baby boy and names him after her dad

The daughter of late actor Christopher Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens, welcomed her first child last month. The baby boy, who was born in Washington on 13 June, has been named after his grandfather, the late Superman star. "Alexandra Reeve Givens and Garren Givens welcomed their first child Christopher Russel Reeve Givens on June 13 in Washington DC," a representative said. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation also announced the news via their Twitter with, "Congrats to Alexandra Reeve Givens on the birth of her son Christopher Russel! He is already rocking #TeamReeve gear."

© Photo: Rex

A family spokesperson told People magazine of the newborn, "He was named after his grandfathers on each side, two very important role models for Garren and Alexandra. The entire family is thriving during their first few weeks home. "Alexandra, 31, the daughter of Christopher Reeve and his first partner Gae Exton, welcomed the bundle of joy with her husband Garren, who she met at Yale.Christopher was left paralysed after a devastating horseriding accident in May 1995. He later became an advocate for spinal cord injury research, setting up the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation with his wife Dana.The handsome actor died almost ten years after the accident in 2004, aged 52. Dana, who remained devoted to her husband during his paralysis, continued to champion the cause after his death.

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Christopher Reeve and his devoted wife Dana Reeve

Dana herself sadly passed away just 17 months later at the age of 44 from lung cancer. Her name was added to the foundation to recognise her and Christopher's love and dedication to the cause, and to each other.

Last October, the foundation announced a huge breakthrough in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

Christopher's eldest son Matthew revealed that four young men paralysed by spinal cord injuries who were told they would never be able to move again below their neck or chest are now able to stand and move their hips, legs and toes with the help of a new therapy called epidural stimulation.