The British & Irish Lions charity partners are continuing to make a big impact off the field in Australia.
Last week, we updated on what LooseHeadz have been up to while the Matt Hampson Foundation have also been busy raising awareness and vital funds.
The updates below, courtesy of CEO Tommy Cawston and chairman Adam Walker, are expanded on in blog posts on the charity's website – while you can donate to the organisation’s silent auction of a wide range of Lions memorabilia by clicking here.
Brisbane
“Soon after landing in Brisbane, we visited Spinal Life Australia Healthy Living Centre and the Sporting Wheelies gym, where we were delighted to be joined by the British and Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley and chairman Ieuan Evans, writes Tommy Cawston.
“We all had an incredibly warm welcome, so much so that Taylor and Kylie went back twice to train in their facility!
“Later in the week, we were guests at a fundraising dinner hosted at the Tattersall’s Club which featured Foundation patron Mike Tindall and his former England colleague Lee Mears as well as Leicester Tigers legend Pat Howard and fellow Wallabies international Fletcher Dyson whose career was ended by a serious neck injury.
“Ben Mosley, an ambassador of the Foundation and a long-standing supporter, did his first live painting in Australia as Official Artist of the British and Irish Lions tour there and we were bowled over by seeing so much love for the Foundation which was amazing considering we are the other side of the world."
Melbourne
“We were delighted to visit The Next Step in Epping, a spinal injury rehabilitation charity and recovery centre founded by Rhiannon Tracey who suffered a catastrophic injury at the age of 21 in a pool accident. Just like Hambo, Rhiannon was not put off by her accident and wanted to ‘get busy living’.
“Foundation CEO Tommy Cawston, Geordan Murphy and I were hosted by Jake, Senior Exercise Physiologist – not quite an Aussie Sutty but you get the picture – and it was fantastic to meet the team, their clients and their mascot Pablo, a salamander (which can regenerate its spinal cord if it’s damaged – nature is truly amazing).
“The Next Step is all about neuropathy, providing evidence-based recovery solutions for athletes with spinal cord injuries or other neurological disorders.
“We have so much in common and will definitely stay in touch and connect our respective teams.
“It was marvellous to see the #SeaofRed throughout the city and what a match it was. Congratulations, too, to our Foundation ambassador Ollie Chessum on his second cap, first start and a Lions series winner – not many can say that.”
The Matt Hampson Foundation provides advice, support, relief and treatment for anyone aged 16 or over suffering serious injury or disability which has primarily arisen from participation in or training for any sport or sporting activity.
The Foundation offers expert physiotherapy and specialised personal training from its state-of-the-art gym as well as wellbeing support and nutrition and health advice.
