THE Walk4Matt is a 110 mile walk from Rugby School to Twickenham along the Grand Union Canal. This annual walk is designed to raise money for the 
, 
and the charity of choice from each participating 
Club.
So join in if you can, but if you can't, watch the videos and be inspired by this awesome former rugby player, and there's a button or two along the way that allows you to donate online...so what are you waiting for?!
A Message from Matt Hampson...
"SINCE my accident in 2005 I have received tremendous support from all walks of life. I now feel that I’m in a position where I can help others, not just with similar needs to myself but with sporting career-ending illnesses or injury. The main aim of my foundation is to inspire and support young people seriously injured through sport. I feel with my experiences and contacts, I know better than most what people need, not just financially but mentally. Initially, it is very difficult for a lot of young people to come to terms with their new life and find a new niche, almost having to reinvent themselves."
The Matt Hampson Foundation...
AS an emerging talent in the world of rugby, Matt Hampson’s world was rocked by a serious spinal injury sustained while training with England U21s. The shock would last months, the impact forever. Paralyzed from the neck down Matt faced the toughest challenge of his life.
Drawing on the passion, grit and steely determination that defined him as a player, Matt saw his accident not as an end, but as a new beginning. Through the Matt Hampson Foundation, Matt offers hope and inspiration to young people with similar injuries, sharing his experiences and devoting his life to raising vital funds for those in need of support.
Click for more info on the ...
LAUNCH: Friday 20th May @ 4.30pm
VENUE: Rugby School, The William Webb Ellis plaque on The Close
IN ATTENDANCE: Matt Hampson, Geordan Murphy, Harry Ellis, Graham Rowntree & Freddie Tuilagi + more + the Aviva Premiership Trophy
The 3rd Annual Walk4Matt is 110 miles along the Grand Union Canal towpath from Rugby to Twickenham, arriving for the Aviva Premiership Final on Saturday 29th May 2011. Walkers from all the Premiership Clubs complete the walk supported by a fleet of narrow boats decked in Club colours.
Players involved include: Harry Ellis, Geordan Murphy, Phil Vickery, Graham Rowntree, Andy Gomarsall, Jason Leonard, Freddie Tuilagi, Bob Casey, Dan Hipkiss, Manu Tuilagi, Alex Tuilagi, Andy Goode, James Buckland and many many more.
KEY STOPS
Saturday 21st May: Heart of England Pub, Weedon
Sunday 22nd May: Barley Mow, Cosgrove... Live Music
Monday 23rd May: Soulbury Three Locks
Tuesday 24th May: Celebrity Cricket Match, Tring CC
Wednesday 25th May: Kings Lodge Hotel, Kings Langley...Live Music
Thursday 26th May: Swan & Bottle, Uxbridge...Quiz Music
Friday 27th May: Sun Inn, Richmond...Presentation Night
Saturday 28th May: Barmy Arms & Twickenham Stadium
DAY 1
"The walkers are on their way to the great launch at rugby school with Graham Rowntree, Tom Croft, Matt Hampson & Geordan Murphy."
DAY 2
"Cosgrove - arrived at our destination in good time. The evening sun is absolutely gorgeous - tomorrow maybe a different story with high winds predicted."
DAY 3
"Day 3 was very tiring for some of the crew. Considering todays finish was last years half way point, we’ve got away lightly. Weather was a little windy and a few boats were beached at times, lots of huffing and puffing to get 
them floating again."
DAY 4
"The first celebrity Tring cricket match was won by the Hambo XI by 2 runs. Another cracking night in prospect with fine food and beer." Matt's team featured Andy Goode, Harry Ellis, Paul Diggin, Matt Cornwell & a bunch of rugby journos [thanks Ian Stafford for the pic!]
DAY 5
"Day 5 was ace - loadsa locks to do, plenty of banter with the walkers and passers by. The task was gruelling and it took the full 10.5 hours, due to some of the lock pounds being low, many of us got caught up with traffic coming the other way too.… "
DAY 6
"Rain, rain and more rain.... The rain came but spirits were not dampened. The monkey still hangs after 3 years..."
DAY 7
"The Walk4Matt kangaroo court with the Right Honourable Hudge Jackson."
And it all ends here on Saturday 28th May 2011...
Matt Hampson Foundation Registered Charity No. 1139823
SPECIALEFFECT is a charity dedicated to helping ALL young people with disabilities to enjoy computer games and to help people with severe disabilities like inspirational Patron Matt Hampson to have freedom via technology. SpecialEffect's core projects are Stargaze, inspired by Matt, which seeks to help people who experience severe injuries like Matt and Game For Helen which seeks to create the world's first fully accessible computer games suite at the Helen and Douglas House Hospice. SpecialEffect also run computer games roadshows for people with disabilities.
Registered Charity No 1121004
EACH Premiership Club have their own charity which they are very passionate about and we recognise this as very important and believe that they should have the opportunity to give their portion of the money raised on the walk to that charity. In the past Wasps have supported the Lawrence Dallaglio Foundation and Saracens have their own Saracens Sports Foundation.
