Scrum On Down to the Barley Mow, Cosgrove
Posted on 12th May 2009
An Everards pub hosted a team of extremely thirsty fundraisers as they break a 110 mile charity walk for a well deserved pint.
Supporters of the Matt Hampson Trust visited the Barley Mow at Cosgrove near Milton Keynes on Saturday 9 May as part of an eight day trek along the Grand Union Canal from Rugby to Twickenham.
Adrian and Debbie Pearson, licensees of the pub offered to stage a garden party with live music, Morris dancing and a barbeque for the walkers and raised over £500 on the day, through a charity auction. They also provided overnight mooring for the 12 barges acting as support vehicles during the event.
Adrian said: “The walk is a real challenge for the teams taking part and we wanted to offer as warm a welcome as possible for everyone involved.Above all we want to raise awareness of the Trust’s work and Matt’s own inspirational story.”
Erika Hardy, marketing manager for Everards Brewery, said: “We have a longstanding association with Leicester Tigers, Matt’s former team, and are thrilled to see one of our pubs supporting this major fundraising drive in his name. Such generosity only goes to strengthen the key role pubs like the Barley Mow play in their local communities.”
The Matt Hampson Trust was established to provide ongoing support for the promising young Leicester Tigers and England Under-21 rugby star Matt Hampson, whose career was tragically cut short after an accident in training four years ago which left him paralysed from the neck down.
One third of all money raised during the canal walk will go to the Trust. The remainder will be split between paraplegic software charity SpecialEffect and 12 individual good causes chosen by each of the rugby clubs competing in the Guinness Premiership.
The walk starts on Friday 8 May at Clifton Lock in Rugby and ends at Twickenham stadium on Saturday 16 May, the day of the Guinness Premiership Final
To find out more about the Matt Hampson Trust and Walk 4 Matt click here
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