Matt was a Leicester and England Under-21s prop, who suffered a serious injury in training, ahead of an U-21 international in 2005.

A scrum collapsed, and his neck was dislocated, trapping his spinal cord. He could not breathe. Luckily, Tony Spreadbury, a paramedic by profession, was taking charge of the session, and was able to do what was necessary.

When he eventually reached hospital, Matt could not speak or move. He spent 15 months in Stoke Mandeville, before going home to a specially adapted bachelor pad at his parent's house, near Oakham.

He is still confined to a wheelchair, and he still requires a ventilator to breathe. He can now speak and move his neck and shoulders, but remains effectively paralysed from the neck down. He requires 24-hour care, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Despite this, he is one of the most positive people you could ever hope to meet. He has a couple of physio sessions a week, with Leicester Tigers. He coaches at Oakham School and writes a weekly newspaper column. He is determined to do all he can to help support other people who have suffered similar injuries.

The cost of his care and treatment is immense. Despite the fact that he was injured while representing England, the RFU has not made its intentions clear, with regard to future support for Matt. Leicester Tigers have been magnificent in their support, and the whole rugby community has responded in just the way you might expect.

Along with a group of fellow Wasps supporters, I shall be walking from Adams Park to Welford Road - a distance of around 90 miles - to raise money for Matt's Trust Fund. We will be setting off on Tuesday, April the 24th, and intend to reach Welford Road in time for the Tigers-Wasps Premiership match on Saturday, April the 28th. The Wasps CEO, David Davies, is one of those going the whole distance. Our Commercial Director (and former player), Peter Scrivener, intends to join us on the first and last days.

Along the way, we are being kindly accommodated by rugby clubs, all of whom have arranged fundraising functions.

The schedule is: Tuesday, 24th of April - Aylesbury RFC (attended by Wasps players and coaches)
Wednesday, 25th of April - Buckingham RFC
Thursday, 26th of April - Long Buckby RFC (Northants.)
Friday, 27th of April - Lutterworth RFC (attended by Leicester Tigers representatives and by Matt Hampson himself).

Unfortunately, Matt's Trust Fund does not yet have registered charity status, which means it's not possible to set up a JustGiving page, for online donations - it also means that donations do not qualify for Gift Aid of 22%. Paypal take a cut from all payments made, so I have gone for the simple option of setting up a savings account for donations, which can be made by cash, giro credits, or giro transfers.

The account details are:

Name: B.Burnham Walk for Matt
Number: 10158430
Bank code: 16-00-35

For postal donations, the bank is:

Royal Bank of Scotland,
Ealing Branch,
14 High Street,
Ealing Broadway Centre,
London W5 5EB

Please give generously. I know there are many worthy causes, but Matt's is a cause which is very close to home for the entire rugby community. Money given will not only help him - it will help others in the future.

Thank you.

Barney Burnham

[Barney will keep us updated as the Walk progresses--The Ed.]

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS