Hambo's an Inspiration to us all

Spent the day yesterday playing cricket - or at least allegedly playing cricket - in aid of the Matt Hampson Foundation and the Walk4Matt week which, now in its third year, sees a group of extraordinary people walk and canal boat their way down from Rugby in the Midlands to Twickenham in time for Saturday's Aviva Premiership final.

It is, of course, all in aid of the wonderful Matt Hampson and the various charities he has thrown his weight behind. For the very few in this country who still do not know the Matt Hampson story it is one of a young, talented rugby prop forward who, whilst training with England back in 2005, was paralysed from the neck down after a scrum collapsed on top of him. Suddenly, at the age of just 20, he was in a wheelchair with a ventilator and requiring 24/7 care. It is a state that would destroy most men. But not Hambo.

"At least it happened while I was doing something I loved," he says. And with the world of rugby rallying around him, his story since that dreadful day has been a truly inspirational one. Today he will be cheering on his walkers as they head inexorably towards rugby headquarters. Next week, no doubt, he will be continuing his journalism career, coaching, and raising money for spinal research and spinal injury charities.

Yesterday he had the dubious pleasure of watching yours truly, Andy Goode, Harry Ellis, Matt Cornwell, James Buckland and Paul Diggin (amongst others) take on and beat Tring Cricket Club by one wicket with one ball to spare after 80 overs. It was a tremendous day out and although it will be stretching it to say cricket was the winner, Hambo's charities certainly were. I urge you all to follow Matt and to support what this truly remarkable young man continues to do.