An Official Charity Partner of the British & Irish Lions
THE LIONS
The British & Irish Lions is an iconic name in sport with a squad selected from the best rugby players from four nations to tour to the southern hemisphere every four years.
A tour is the pinnacle of a player’s career and the opportunity of a lifetime for fans, following traditions dating back 130 years.
After the men’s 2025 tour to Australia, a new chapter opens in 2027 with the inaugural British & Irish Lions women’s tour to New Zealand.
#WeGoBeyond
Learn more about the Lions here.
THE FOUNDATION
Matt Hampson was paralysed from the neck down and breathing via a ventilator following injury in training with the England Under-21 rugby squad in 2005 but, rather than lament what he had lost, he decided to focus on what he could still do and to ‘get busy living’.
Inspired by the support he received within the game and beyond, Matt created the Foundation to help others after life-changing injury in sport and in 2018 he opened its Get Busy Living Centre.
The Foundation continues to grow with plans to extend the Centre to welcome even more beneficiaries as we mark 20 years since the moment which changed Matt’s life and its impact on others. #GetBusyLiving
SHARED VALUES
Matt Hampson Foundation beneficiaries come from all sports but the bond with rugby remains at its core.
Ollie Chessum, a Foundation ambassador, is part of the 2025 Lions, Tom Croft starred on two tours and Graham Rowntree, a trustee, toured five times. Martin Johnson, Dean Richards, Jason Leonard and Jason Robinson are all long-time supporters while many other friends in rugby have also worn the red shirt.
OUR EVENTS
The Foundation has Lions-themed events arranged in the UK, Ireland and Australia around the tour, including a Lions Lunch in Birmingham, activity around the opening fixture in Dublin and visits to numerous spinal injury charities in Australia. For more information on any Foundation event, email ciara@hambo.co.uk or phone the team on 01664 454155.
LIONS AUCTION
Selection as an Official Charity Partner of the Lions helps the Foundation to raise awareness of our work with young people following life-changing injury, but none of it would be possible without fundraising. Our memorabilia auction features rugby history and souvenirs while also helping us to change lives.
Join the Get Busy Living Club and make a regular contribution to the Matt Hampson Foundation
LIONS FIXTURES 2025
| Date | Versus | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 20th June (8.00pm) | Argentina | Dublin |
| Saturday 28th June (11.00am UK) | Western Force | Perth |
| Wednesday 2nd July (11.00am UK) | Queensland Reds | Brisbane |
| Saturday 5th July (11.00am UK) | NSW Waratahs | Sydney |
| Saturday 9th July (11.00am UK) | ACT Brumbies | Canberra |
| Tuesday 12th July (11.00am UK) | Invitational Australia & New Zealand XV | Adelaide |
| Saturday 19th July (11.00am UK) | Australia (First Test) | Brisbane |
| Tuesday 22nd July (11.00am UK) | First Nations & Pasifika XV | Melbourne |
| Saturday 26th July (11.00am UK) | Australia (Second Test) | Melbourne |
| Saturday 2nd August (11.00am UK) | Australia (Third Test) | Sydney |