MATT LEADS TEAM HAMBO IN LONDON
More than 20 members of the Matt Hampson Foundation will join Matt on the startline at the TCS London Marathon on Sunday.
Beneficiaries, staff, supporters, sporting legend Sir AP McCoy and Matt himself will all wear the Foundation’s red, black and white colours for the 26.2-mile challenge.
With valuable support from partners Barratt Redrow and Furniture Village, Matt will be pushed by a team of four runners as he aims to increase awareness of his Foundation’s work with young people following life-changing injury in sport while also hoping to raise £100,000 in sponsorship and donations to take that assistance even further.
“It will be quote emotional on the day,” says Matt.
“Everything we do for the Foundation is a real team effort and it is important to recognise what our beneficiaries are doing and all the hard work everyone has put in for the marathon too. We have 23 representatives taking part and it will be amazing to celebrate with them afterwards.”
This is no ordinary challenge for Matt and his support runners Amy, Carl, Paul and Sutty.
So why the London Marathon?
Matt says: “It has taken a lot of work from a lot of people to get here. My support runners are all people who meant a lot to me, I’ve had a special chair made for the marathon and then there are the things around my ventilator, carrying spare batteries, knowing how to deal with any medical issues and the fact I struggle to regulate my body temperature so there is a lot that goes into keeping me safe.
“But following our mantra of ‘bet busy living’ means pushing yourself to achieve your dreams and going on to live a great and fulfilled life in this situation. Our beneficiaries are doing that and I should show that too!”
“I think this is one of the hardest events I could do in my situation. Being on a ventilator and paralysed from the neck down, all the logistics around that, the three or four hours it takes with the team every morning to keep me as healthy as I possible, there are a lot of things you wouldn’t know looking in from the outside.”
Raising awareness of the Matt Hampson Foundation
“In the 15 years since we started the Foundation it has grown massively. Rehab after serious injury can be long term so our beneficiaries are here for life and we are always increasing the number of people we need to help.
“We have 70-odd beneficiaries per week at the Get Busy Living Centre and over 300 in total, and we try to empower them and show they can lead a fulfilling life in this situation.
“Beneficiaries come here and their families often tell us it is the first positive thing that has happened to them since injury. Some go back into work or education or sport, but for somebody to be happy and content with their life is as important as anything else. We want to help them to achieve and enjoy that.”
Why are you fundraising?
“The Centre was opened in 2018 and had been a dream of mine for a while. Now we are extending facilities to give us more space for gym, physio and social areas, and to allow us to welcome even more beneficiaries and their families.
“It is a special place but the people in it make it even more special.”
Sporting legend Sir AP McCoy has seen that work at first hand since injury to his good friend Graham Lee and it has motivated him to get his running shoes on for London.
“Matt is an unbelievable character,” says the 20-time Champion Jockey.
“He has a great sense of mind and purpose about doing something positive. And what Matt and Graham do is inspire you. Hopefully we can raise a lot of awareness for the Foundation and some money that can help along the way too.”
Follow the team in London
Foundation participants have start times between 9.30-11.15am on Sunday, with Matt setting off in Wave 4 at 9.50am.
Look out for our cheer stations and flags at Cutty Sark (10km/6 miles), Tower Bridge (20km, 12 miles) and Canary Wharf (30km, 18 miles). Or follow Matt’s progress during coverage from the BBC who have been featuring his story – they are planning to catch up for a chat on the day too!
And please help Matt to reach his fundraising target by sharing his message with friends and family.
His JustGiving page can be found here.
Every donation helps to change young lives.
