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Rugby players at the University of Leicester Students’ Union have proved they don’t just have big muscles- they have big hearts too.
They have amassed over £10,000 for the Matt Hampson Trust – set up after the former Tigers player’s injury – and their success has ‘surpassed all expectations’ in the words of club captain Matt Bates.
In April 2005 Matt Hampson was seriously injured leaving him paralysed from the neck down. Now, the efforts of the rugby team will help boost the former player’s appeal.
Matt Bates said: “Last November, Tommy Cawston, a member of the Matt Hampson Trust, came down a couple of times for training sessions” The trust has many members and endorsements, with messages from people such as Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson appearing on the website.
“Inspired to act, the Students’ Union rugby team managed to organise a bucket shake before the South Africa vs. World 15 game, raising around two thousand pounds for the foundation – a highly impressive sum!
“But we didn’t stop there – in the lead up to the Varsity match we had another fundraiser at Welford Road, and this time almost tripled our total by raising an extra £4000 pounds. We also helped raise publicity by buying and wearing Matt Hampson merchandise during the game on the 9th of March.
“Their fundraisers have gone from strength to strength – pulling in over £6000 more at the Heineken Cup Semi and Final over Easter – and we are already planning more next season.”
To find out more information about the Matt Hampson trust, or to donate, please go to www.matthampson.co.uk
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