Wheatsheaf helps raise funds for Matt Hampson Trust
Everards pub The Wheatsheaf in Oakham has helped raise more than £700 pounds for charity by donating the proceeds from an annual rugby match it stages with Oakham School to the Matt Hampson Trust.
Matt Hampson was a talented former Leicester Tigers and England youth team player who was tragically paralysed from the neck down in a training ground accident. Matt refuses to let his injury take over his life and has become an inspirational figure, raising thousands of pounds for various charities.
The match was held at Oakham School where Matt started his career as a junior player and was a close fought game between a Wheatsheaf select XV; made up of the pubs regulars versus the staff of Oakham School.
Licensee of the Wheatsheaf Paul Bassett said: "The combined efforts of the people of Oakham; including the school, the rugby club and the pub, made for a great social occasion and raised a healthy amount of money for the trust in the process. Everyone worked hard to ensure it was a success and with Everards kindly donating some free beer, we were more than happy to host a few post match pints at the Wheatsheaf."
Tommy Cawston at the Matt Hampson Trust said: "There has been amazing support from the local rugby community for the Trust and we especially get a lot of support from the Oakham area. Matt has a real affinity with the club and the local area, so has decided to use the money to renovate the clubhouse at Oakham Rugby Club to aid the development of the new generation of players."