Help Matt Hampson’s charity by doing lockdown fitness challenge

The One Million Metre Lockdown Challenge has been inspired by the Matt Hampson Foundation, which runs the Get Busy Living Centre rehab facility at Burrough on the Hill.

The centre is remaining open for physiotherapy and essential rehabilitation but, unfortunately, the new Covid restrictions mean all personal training sessions have to stop now until December 2.

The Foundation provided beneficiaries with home gym kits during the first lockdown and will continue to give bespoke personal training sessions remotely. But its personal trainer, James Sutliff, felt a challenge would help keep everyone motivated and united in what will be a particularly difficult time for those recovering from a life-changing injury.

He has today (Thursday) launched a challenge which anyone can take part in individually or as part of a team.

Any activity counts whether it’s walking, running, cycling, pushing, on static gym equipment or even just from counting your everyday activity on your phone or fitness tracker.

James said: “The first lockdown was a challenging period for all of our beneficiaries and this one will be no different, but it is what it is.

“The One Million Metre Lockdown Challenge will keep everyone active which is so important for both physical and mental health and if we can raise some much-needed funds for the Foundation - even better.

“Whether people are out for a push in their wheelchair, a handcycle, doing a Ski-Erg session or walking during their physio sessions, every metre counts towards our target of reaching one million metres by the time lockdown ends.”

Former Leicester Tigers rugby player, Matt Hampson, who founded the charity after suffering a life-changing injury whilst playing rugby, will be taking part in the challenge.

He said: “Our beneficiaries are all amazing and we really kept each other going during the first lockdown.

“It’s our hope that this challenge will keep us all active and connected during lockdown and hopefully we can inspire others to join us.

“We’d love our supporters, their friends and families and the people of Leicestershire to join in too.”

Former England rugby captain and patron of the foundation, Mike Tindall, has urged people to take part to improve their own fitness and to support those who benefit from the charity.

He said: “In another hugely difficult time for all the beneficiaries of the Matt Hampson Foundation, this challenge is a great way to keep everyone active and feeling connected.

“I will be adding my metres to the Team Hambo total making sure I keep working on my physical health which we all know is so important for our mental health too.

“It is such a privilege to work with the foundation and all the people involved and this is a great way to keep showing people what is possible even under these circumstances.”

If you decide to get involved, let the foundation know via email at [email protected] and tag @hambofoundation in your social media posts.

There’s no expectation to raise funds but if you choose to do so got to www.justgiving.com/campaign/MHFlockdownchallenge click the orange ‘Start fund-raising’ tab to create your own team’s Just giving page.

The Matt Hampson Foundation will also be taking part in Giving Tuesday on December 1 - visit www.matthampsonfoundation.org or email [email protected] for details.