Two charities from apposing and fiercely competitive rugby nations join hands and collaborate during the British & Irish Lions Tour to SA
When a serious and disabling injury changes a life, the world can seem like a lonely place…the Matt Hampson Foundation in the UK and the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund (Players’ Fund) in South Africa strive to be the teams that share the journey, provide support, partner and encourage those whose lives have been changed to GET BUSY LIVING.
The two kindred institutions were brought together for the first time in 2010 when they stopped at nothing to safely reunite Hervé Iradakunda, a young teenager with his family in France after he was left paralysed and permanently dependent on a ventilator following a collision with a car alongside a field where he was playing touch rugby in Cape Town. Seven years later in 2015, their combined efforts got George Robinson back home to the UK after a disabling rugby injury in Cape Town whilst he was on school tour. With both unfortunate incidents the open communication, problem solving and perseverance from both organisations meant that the families were reunited and given invaluable support away from home.
The Matt Hampson Foundation has been recognised as one of the four chosen charities of the British & Irish Lions Trust for the 2021 tour to South Africa. The Players’ Fund is the official charity of the Springboks and this important collaboration between the two charities during the Lions Tour to SA aims to establish a lasting legacy. The relationship established by strong international rugby ties will create a positive change long after the final whistle is blown, and will continue to link the charities on their mission to make a difference to those who face life with disability
