The link with the three organisations was formally announced at Leicester’s home fixture with Northampton Saints on Saturday and Tigers welcomed representatives of all three charities to Welford Road for the game.
The Matt Hampson Foundation has been set up by Matt Hampson, the Tigers prop who suffered a serious neck injury during an England Under-21 training session. The Foundation aims to provide advice, support, relief and/or treatment for anyone suffering serious injury or disability which has arisen from any cause, but in particular from sporting activity or other form of physical education or recreation. They assist individuals by offering grants or by paying into funds to assist with equipment, technology or everyday expenses. They also assist organisations and institutions whose aims are similar to our own and who provide relief and treatment to those who have suffered injuries as described above. Through Matt Hampson, the foundation is also able to offer mentoring, friendship and education.
“The Foundation is there for anyone who has been spinally injured who we can help,” says Matt
“Over recent weeks there have been people who have been injured and we are looking to help them where we can.
“The support from Tigers has been amazing and this link-up with the club is fantastic for the Foundation.”
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity supports the men and women who put everything on the line to defend us and our country. It offers lifetime support whether they are serving soldiers or veterans. It offers a hand to them as individuals and, when they need help, for their families. It stands by them in conflict and in peacetime, throughout their lives. It looks to the future too, finding the best ways to give medical, technical and financial support to give the best possible outlook for the men and women who sacrifice so much for us.
Lieutenant colonel Jack Tarr OBE, is the charity’s regional director for fundraising in the East Midlands. He said: “It is a great honour for us. Being one of the nominated charities of Leicester Tigers is a great way to raise the awareness of the charity.”
Leicester Hospitals Charity, with the support of a number of charitable trusts, has launched its Ourspace Appeal to create a purpose-built cancer unit for children and young people at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. This will provide a dedicated space including playroom for children up to the age of 13, and provide a separate space for young people aged 13 to 24 for treatment and recreation, as well as a day case treatment and clinic space, and support for patients and their families. The Ourspace Appeal is working in partnership with the Teenage Cancer trust to raise £1.4million to fund the cost of creating a children and young people’s cancer unit at Leicester Infirmary. Ourspace is the official charity of the Junior Tigers Club.
Debbie Adlerstein, Leicester Hospitals Charity community & events fundraising manager, said: “It will give teenagers and young adults the opportunity to be in a space which is comfortable and appropriate to them.
“We’re delighted that Tigers are supporting us in this way. We are really grateful.”
More information on the Matt Hampson Foundation is available at http://www.matthampsonfoundation.org
For more information on ABF The Soldiers’ Charity visit www.soldierscharity.org
And for more information on Ourspace visit www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/leicester-hospitals-charity/our-space-cancer-appeal
