When Liam Hampson tragically passed away in 2022, a stream of letters and gratitude cards made their way to his family.
In the hundreds, these notes from students and staff at Redcliffe State High School detailed the impact Hampson – a teacher aide – had on each person.
For his dad, Brett Hampson, hearing everything Liam had done was new – it was not something he was aware of. But it was also not unexpected.
After 24 years with his son, Hampson had learned plenty about the way Liam could make a person feel.
“He was always into us about being positive,” Hampson said of Liam, who played in the Hostplus Cup with the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2022.
“I’ve got a tattoo of one his sayings, to ‘always turn a negative into a positive.’
“Growing up, he was always too small coming through the grades and had injuries on and off, but his resilience was massive.
“He was really big on the resilience – it doesn’t matter if you get knocked down, you get back up and do it again. If you put your mind to it, the results will come.
“A lot of the messages we received from the Redcliffe High School boys – or just people in general – said that Liam really gave them that self-belief.
“He really told them to believe in themselves and give life everything and that (they) can do it. That was huge.
“He was such a good, smart footy player and I’m sure people remember him for that. But he’s also a great kid who will do anything for anyone. He lights up a room with his energy. He’s gone too soon but he lived full of positivity and rubbed off on his family and friends.”
In time, these letters from the school would play a part in helping to form Hampo’s Youth Foundation.
Established by Liam’s family, the foundation aim to help young people who may not have access to the same opportunities as others, in both their academic and sporting goals.
It’s goal is to carry on Liam’s work.
Hampson said that Liam – who was studying teaching – helped a lot of young students push towards their full potential and the family, plus Liam’s mates, wanted that to continue.
“One of the big reasons the foundation does what it does is because that was what Liam was doing,” he said.
“He was doing it on the quiet, no one really knew how much he was doing behind-the-scenes. To him, it was just being Liam. He didn’t think it was out of the ordinary or anything special.
“But then you get the letters and stories from the kids he was helping and mentoring and you start to understand.
“It was really touching to see how many people he was actually helping. It might have only been a small way but he really helped.
“It makes you proud. It’s still very, very raw and emotional but it makes you proud. It shows what an impact he had and he’s such a good person.
“As much as he had that funny Liam side with the banter, he also had the caring side where he listened to people and genuinely cared for people. It made him an all-round good person.
“He was a good kid. A very good kid. And he’s still very much missed.”
To help raise money for Hampo’s Youth Foundation, there will be the inaugural Hampo’s Cup VIP Lunch on Saturday, June 21, at Redcliffe Leagues Club.
Played ahead of the third annual Liam Hampson Cup – a Hostplus Cup clash between Liam’s two clubs, Redcliffe Dolphins and Tweed Seagulls at Kayo Stadium – those behind the foundation, including Hampson, are hopeful of a strong turnout in Liam’s memory and to support the work they do.
“It’s one of our big fundraisers for this year,” Hampson said.
“We have that and a golf day. All the money goes back into the foundation to help kids reach their potential.
“The feedback (for the foundation) has been amazing so far, saying how much it’s helped them. The more money raised, the more kids we can get involved.
“We have four at the moment so it definitely helps towards all that. It goes a long way to keeping the foundation and Liam’s legacy going.”
Tables of 10 for the lunch are available for $1600 while individual tickets can be purchased for $170.
The tickets cover a two-course meal, a four-hour drink package and entry to the game, as well as halftime snacks.
Hampo’s Cup VIP Lunch will include special guests, Trevor Gillmeister and Corey Oates.
For tickets or more information, email lorna@hamposyouthfoundation.com.au.
For more information on the foundation, .
