Europcar Mobility Group UK has officially extended its partnership with the Matt Hampson Foundation for a third consecutive year, marking the collaboration by introducing its first zero-emission Ford E-Transit van.

The custom-supplied eLCV will provide vital support for the Leicestershire-based charity, transporting essential adaptive sports equipment to tracks, trails and water events across the country while covering the miles more sustainably.

Tim Morris, marketing and ecommerce director at Europcar Mobility Group UK & Ireland, said: “Having a van available to shift the range of adapted equipment for injured young people has been invaluable to the Matt Hampson Foundation since we donated the first vehicle in 2024.

“Now, with sustainability front of mind, we are delighted to be able to provide the latest electric motoring technology, enabling the foundation to reduce its tailpipe emissions on every journey.”

The partnership upgrade comes at a critical time of growth for the charity, which was founded by former England Under-21s rugby union player Matt Hampson OBE. Hampson established the foundation to provide specialised physical and emotional rehabilitation for young people who have suffered life-changing sporting injuries.

The charity is supported by numerous professional sportspeople and celebrities as ambassadors. In April this year, Hampson and a 24-strong team from the foundation raised over £200,000 by taking part in the London Marathon.

In 2018, Hampson opened the Foundation’s Get Busy Living Centre which provides physical and emotional support for beneficiaries including specialist physiotherapy, personal training, wellbeing services and mentorship. Facilities are being expanded this year to support even more injured young people and their families. The charity is also continuing to develop a network of regional hubs to expand its valuable reach.

“We are delighted to renew the partnership with Europcar for a third year – and even more excited to bring electric motoring to our activities,” said Hampson.

“Having a high-quality vehicle to transport essential equipment ensures we can make our events and beneficiary experience days possible. The van is also vital for deliveries and collections which would otherwise incur extra costs, using funds that could be better spent on supporting beneficiaries. And the fact that we can now do all of that in a more environmentally friendly way is incredibly important for our long-term mission.”

For Europcar Mobility Group UK, the initiative forms a key pillar of its regional community engagement strategy. Both organisations are headquartered in Leicestershire, and the collaboration heavily intertwines with Europcar’s sports network, which includes its role as the official vehicle rental partner for the Leicester Tigers Rugby Club.