We develop and fund programmes to support ill or injured rugby players
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Mophead gets a haircut.
During this years Tigers Rugby course I’m going to have my hair cut to try and raise funds for The Matt Hampson trust. The haircut will be on the last day of the course which is the 30th July. I’ve been growing my hair for the last 4 years so it is quite long now. Once it is cut I’m hoping it can be used to make wigs for people who need it.
Matt is a remarkable young man who, just as he was breaking into the England under-21 side, in fact while training with the side, suffered a terrifying accident, a dislocation of the neck, during a collapsed scrum. This left him paralysed from the neck down, but more determined from the neck up. Matt is now a quadriplegic, who needs support and assistance in all aspects of his life. This does not stop him, however, from devoting all of his energies into raising money to help other people in his position. Matt is positive in his attitude, and is taking on different roles as he tries to regain his independence. He is now writing a column for the Leicester Mercury’s Sporting Green and has a section writing for RugbyWorld, having passed his RFU Level 1 coaching qualification is assisting with coaching at Oakham rugby club and he hopes to one day contribute heavily to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.
I’m 12 years old now and play hooker for Swaffham RUFC and am part of the Norfolk Development squad. For the last 4 years I have been to the Tigers Summer Rugby Course and meet the coaches from Tigers who have told us about Matt and his Trust. I have also been growing my hair for the last 4 years and it was the Tiger’s coaches who gave me the nickname “Mophead”. My hair is very long now (it’s 60cms long) and hopefully being sponsored to get it cut off will help raise money for the Walk4 Matt initiative. Please support me in this venture by giving generously. The proceeds from this will help the RPA, Matt’s trust and Special Effect, all of which are brilliant causes. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
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Restart is the official charity of The Rugby Players' Association. We provide financial, practical and emotional support to professional rugby players forced to retire through illness or injury.