FOUNDATION ENJOYS THE WEEKEND AT FESTIVAL OF SPORT
The Matt Hampson Foundation enjoyed a “priceless experience” alongside hundreds of young sports fans and their families at the Festival of Sport over the weekend.
The festival is a unique weekend created by former rugby internationals Austin Healey and Will Greenwood, dedicated to introducing children to a variety of sports with sessions over the weekend including touch rugby, judo, archery, trampoline, kayaking, rowing, lacrosse, dodgeball, golf, cricket, hockey and netball in the grounds of Holkham Hall in Norfolk, with added activities for under-fives and for adults.
As a charity partner, the Foundation met visitors from all over the country across two full days, hosting a SkiErg machine challenge – with prizes for the best adults and giveaways for young visitors.
The historic Holkham Hall provided a stunning backdrop for the weekend with the Foundation team joined by beneficiaries and their families, using the camping facilities to stay up close to all the activities including the outdoor cinema, live music and DJ sets which closed activities at the end of each day.
Holly, wife of beneficiary Colin and a regular visitor to the Get Busy Living Centre, said: “It has been a priceless experience to be here as a family for the whole weekend. It’s really difficult to find events like these which are so accessible for disabled people and to have the support of the Foundation so that we could all camp together has been amazing.”
Foundation beneficiaries Kamari and Will were among the visitors to show their skills on the climbing wall provided in association with Mattioli Woods (Leicester Tigers). Will went head-to-head with Austin Healey up the slopes of the wall and also used the Paragolfer in a golf demonstration alongside Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood, all filmed for the big screen for everyone in the park to view over the weekend.
Sophie Wilson, head of peer support at the Foundation, said: “Our beneficiaries had great support from the festival organisers over the weekend and it was good to see so many young people and their families enjoying themselves.
“As a charity partner, we are very fortunate to be involved in an event like this where we can promote our message that there is always a way to get busy living, no matter what your injury or disability. That could be a first experience of para-climbing or just meeting other people who have experienced life-changing injury and being in an environment like this surrounded by the support we have and a shared passion in sport.”
