Matt Hampson OBE

Matt Hampson began playing rugby at just five years old. His talent and drive saw him progress into the Leicester Tigers academy at under-16, and was soon recognised as a promising prop. Matt represented England at both the U18 and U21 levels, continuing to impress coaches and teammates as he pursued a professional career.

In March 2005, during an England Under-21 training session ahead of a Six Nations match, a scrum collapsed, dislocating his neck and severing his spinal cord – a catastrophic accident that left him paralysed from the neck down (C4/5 tetraplegic) and reliant on a ventilator to breathe.

Despite months spent in hospital and the immense personal challenges, Matt channelled his energy and resilience into helping others. In 2011, he founded the Matt Hampson Foundation, offering practical, emotional, and financial support to people who suffered serious injuries, especially those from sport. The foundation’s Get Busy Living Centre in Leicestershire offers expert therapy, training, advice, and community support, helping injured individuals rebuild their lives with support from dedicated personal trainers and other activity practitioners.

Matt also shares his story as a motivational speaker and mentor, frequently visiting schools, universities, and sports clubs to deliver talks that inspire resilience and hope. His autobiography, Engage: The Fall and Rise of Matt Hampson, has won awards for its candid account of his journey.

Matt work has been recognised by an OBE in 2021 and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Leicester for his service to disability support and advocacy. Through his foundation and public engagements, Matt continues to demonstrate that adversity need not limit life’s possibilities, and his story is a symbol of perseverance for many.