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LONDON MARATHON 2026

This is no ordinary undertaking. Completing the London Marathon is a huge achievement in itself, but doing it while navigating the additional risks Matt and his team face makes it truly extraordinary.

Matt’s bespoke racing chair is adapted to carry his ventilator and he will be pushed by support runners who have had specialist training to ensure his safety while also learning how to run with necessary back-up equipment.

So why is Matt doing the marathon? He is driven to participate by the beneficiaries of his charity who take on extraordinary challenges every day. This is #MattsEverest.

“So many people support the Foundation and it is about time that I did a challenge too. This is my chance to raise funds and awareness of what we do”

Matt Hampson • Founder

MATT’S STORY

Matt was at the start of a professional rugby career in 2005 when an accident resulted in him being paralysed from the neck down and breathing through a ventilator. But rather than lament what he had lost, he decided to focus on what he could still do and to ‘get busy living’.

He created a charity to support other young people following life-changing injury at all levels of sporting activity. His Foundation continues to change young lives every day.

Matt opened its The Get Busy Living Centre in 2018 and has plans to extend facilities this year to welcome more beneficiaries while continuing to develop a network of regional hubs to take support further.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Help Matt reach his goal by adding to his fundraising here:

MATT’S MARATHON >

Sponsorship opportunities to attach a brand to his marathon challenge are also available. Email fundraising@hambo.co.uk for details.

 

SUPPORT OF SPORTING GREAT

Legendary jockey Sir Tony ‘AP’ McCoy will be in Matt Hampson colours in London.

The 20-time Champion jockey has built links with Matt through beneficiary Graham Lee, a fellow Grand National winner and long-time friend who joined the Foundation following spinal injury in 2023.

“I had no intention or desire to do a marathon, but I know what Matt has done not just for Graham but a lot of other people too,” Sir Tony said.

MARATHON DIARY //

For updates from Matt’s team, Sir AP McCoy and the other Foundation participants in London, see our channels on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. And please share with your networks. Thank you.

#MattsEverest