Matt Hampson's 'unbelievable experience' taking part in the London Marathon

Matt covered the 26-mile course in a specialised wheelchair supported by a team of four and horseracing legend, Sir AP McCoy, crossing the finish line in The Mall in 4hrs 50mins.

They’ve so far raised almost £125,000 for the Matt Hampson Foundation, his charity which supports the rehab of young people who have suffered life-saving injury playing sport.

After the team received their medals, Matt said: “Taking part in the London Marathon from my chair, pushed by such an incredible team, is something I’ll never be able to fully put into words.

“I feel deeply honoured – and honestly quite overwhelmed – to have experienced it alongside people who gave their strength, time and heart so selflessly.

“There were moments along the route that will stay with me forever – the cheers from the crowds, the connection with complete strangers and the quiet, powerful teamwork between us that carried me every single mile.

"It was humbling in the truest sense.”

As well as McCoy, Matt was assisted by Carl Brierley-Lewis, James Sutliff, Amy Bishop and Paul Cowling, with another 20 beneficiaries, staff and supporters also completing the course wearing the foundation’s red, black and white colours on the roads of London.

He created the foundation in 2011 and opened its Get Busy Living Centre at Burrough-on-the-Hill seven years later as a base for physical and emotional rehabilitation.

“It has been an unbelievable experience,” added Matt who was paralysed from the neck down in a rugby accident with the England Under 21 squad in 2005 and requires a ventilator to assist his breathing.

“The atmosphere on the course was incredible,” Matt added.

“It has taken a big team effort even to get to the start line and it was just awesome to be involved and to share it with so many people who are dear to me.”

Leicester Tigers and England rugby players Jack van Poortvliet and Freddie Steward, who are also foundation ambassadors, joined family, friends and supporters to welcome each of the team after collecting their medals on the finish line.

Sir AP McCoy was inspired to run his first marathon after seeing how Matt’s foundation has helped his good friend and fellow jockey, Graham Lee, since injury

Matt’s story generated a high level of interest in the build-up and he was interviewed live during BBC TV coverage at the start and finish as well as at the Cutty Sark landmark during the 26-mile event.

With valuable support from foundation partners Barratt Redrow and Furniture Village, Matt’s mission was to increase awareness of the charity’s work while also fundraising to take that assistance even further with an extension of facilities at its Get Busy Living Centre and continued development of its regional satellite hubs.

If you would like to run next year’s London Marathon – on April 25, 2027 – for the Matt Hampson Foundation the entry ballot is open until Friday May 1 at 4pm.

Matt’s fundraising page is still open – go to www.justgiving.com/page/matt-hampson-london-marathon-2026 to donate if you can.