Charity ride

A BIRSTALL cyclist will be riding this September to raise funds and support for local rugby player Matt Hampson and his Get Busy Living Centre.

Dave Thomas (pictured above with Matt) has worked with Matt and his centre since 2011, giving school assemblies and fundraising talks to support the building and growth of The Get Busy Living Centre in Burrough on the Hill, near Melton Mowbray. In 2014 Dave invited Matt to open the rebuilt Ashmount Special School in Loughborough where he was working as head teacher.

The Get Busy Living Centre provides expert physiotherapy, specialist personal training, support, mentoring and advice to people suffering a life-changing injury through sport.

It's a unique facility which opened its doors in 2018 and is the brainchild of founder and former England and Leicester Tigers rugby player Matt Hampson, who himself experienced a life-changing injury in 2005 leaving him paralysed from the neck down, aged just 20.

Building a sense of community is central to the Matt Hampson Foundation. In the aftermath of an incident which leads to a life-changing injury most people and their families feel isolated with an overwhelming sense of loss for what has been taken away from them.

By becoming part of the community that Matt has created, beneficiaries of the Foundation are able to draw on the experience and knowledge of people who have been on the same journey. They develop the tools and skills they need to move on as they start to rebuild their lives.

Dave and his cycling colleague Mark will ride 40 miles on September 2, to continue Matt’s mission of inspiring and supporting young people seriously injured through sport. The ride will start at Burrough and finish at the Get Busy Living Centre.

To add to the funds raised you can sponsor Dave on his Just Giving page (go to justgiving.com and search for Dave Thomas).

The Matt Hampson Foundation are not now organising the ride, but are supporting it by allowing riders to start and finish at their centre. Just Giving will honour all sponsorship and pay to The Matt Hampson Foundation, says Dave, but you can contact him if you would like him to refund your contribution.

CHILDREN AT Half Pints Childcare on Loughborough Road celebrated their graduation to primary school with a party.

A spokesperson said: “Where has the time gone? Our little babies are suddenly celebrating their graduation from Half Pints to ‘big school’. They performed a song and dance to their parents, culminating in a fun-filled time bowling.

“We wish them every happiness in this new chapter in life, filled with fun, laughter and the life skills we have taught them.”