Hero Hampson ‘blown away’ to become an OBE

MATT Hampson has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours with an OBE. Hampson, 36, was paralysed from the neck down in 2005 following a scrum collapsed during an England U21 training session.

He set up his foundation six years later to support and rehabilitate other young people seriously injured through sport.

Hampson said he was “blown away” to be awarded for his services to charity, adding: “After my injury I just decided to get busy living and focus on the positives in life. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved with the foundation over the past ten years.”

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter becomes an OBE while captain Joe Simmonds is made an MBE.

Damian Hopley, chief executive of the Rugby Players Association, is made an MBE, while Dee Bradbury, the first female president of the Scottish Rugby Union, becomes an OBE.