After falling from a ladder in June 2023 and undergoing surgery to repair the resulting injury to his arm, Matt experienced some unusual symptoms and was referred for tests. After months of back and forth, during which time Matt’s eldest daughter, Hollie-Mae, graduated from university, Matt and his son Jack toured with Solihull School to South Africa and the family holidayed in America, Matt and his wife, Lisa, went back to the hospital to receive his results. Matt was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease on 14th October 2023,  news which left the couple reeling and feeling extremely overwhelmed. 

Despite this incredibly unexpected and abrupt diagnosis, one of Matt’s first thoughts was that he wanted to help others in his situation, especially after learning that there were just three specialist MND nurses serving the West Midlands, one of the largest health authorities in the UK. And so, the Matt Gallagher Foundation was born, a community designed to support those living with MND and their families.

As a former professional rugby player, Matt has made a significant impact on the sporting world over the years. Having started playing for Solihull Rugby Club at the age of five, he was playing for The Birmingham Bees’ first team by the age of 18, before continuing his career with his Polytechnic team at Sheffield Hallam (where he won the British Polytechnic Cup twice) and Nottingham Rugby Club, playing in the Championship at the age of 20. He then signed for Coventry RFC in 1996, playing more than 100 games for the team before leaving in 2001. Matt concluded his rugby career back at Birmingham and Solihull, where it all started, and retired in 2003, switching his focus to raising his three young children and building a new legacy in the housebuilding industry. 

Although he no longer plays professionally, his passion and commitment to the sport mean that he still has a heavy involvement in the industry, coaching his son’s school team and running the former players’ association for Coventry. 

Before he retired from rugby, Matt started a successful career in the housebuilding industry and now runs his own business, further adding to his extensive network. It’s this network that makes the Matt Gallagher Foundation so special, not only providing a strong support system, but also allowing him to harness his wide range of connections to help others living with MND.