Philip Packer (born 1972) is a British charity activist who suffered serious injuries while serving with the British military in

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

in 2008 and has since engaged in numerous publicised physical challenges in support of his charity, the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT), and other causes.

Surgery and rehabilitation

Phil learning how to climb stairs at RNOH Stanmore

Packer sustained severe

spinal cord The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue that extends from the medulla oblongata in the lower brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column (backbone) of vertebrate animals. The center of the spinal c ...

injuries in 2008, whilst on operational duty with British military forces in Iraq. He had a motor-complete T12/L1

spinal cord injury A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that causes temporary or permanent changes in its function. It is a destructive neurological and pathological state that causes major motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions. Symptoms of ...

,"Marathon miracle"

GMTV GMTV (an initialism for Good Morning Television), now legally known as ''ITV Breakfast, ITV Breakfast Broadcasting Limited'', was the name of the national ITV (TV network), ITV breakfast television contractor/licensee, broadcasting in the Uni ...

, 11 June 2009 and was told he would never walk again."Paraplegic soldier rows Channel"

BBC News BBC News is an operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs in the UK and around the world. The department is the world's largest broad ...

, 14 February 2009 Following

surgery Surgery is a medical specialty that uses manual and instrumental techniques to diagnose or treat pathological conditions (e.g., trauma, disease, injury, malignancy), to alter bodily functions (e.g., malabsorption created by bariatric surgery s ...

and recuperation, his injury improved to T12/L1 motor-incomplete.

Physical challenges to raise funds

Following his recuperation, Packer has embarked on numerous publicised physical challenges, both to raise money, and to help himself recuperate psychologically from his injuries. In February 2009, less than a year after his injury, Packer rowed the

English Channel The English Channel, also known as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Southern England from northern France. It links to the southern part of the North Sea by the Strait of Dover at its northeastern end. It is the busi ...

with Alastair Humphreys."Major Phil Packer finishes marathon"
Sara Dixon, ''The Times'', 9 May 2009 Next he entered the 2009 London Marathon. It took him thirteen days to complete the course, then the longest time in the event's history. By the end of the marathon he had raised £637,000 for wounded ex-servicemen."Disabled Major Phil Packer crosses London Marathon finish line two weeks after starting"
Sharon Van Geuns, ''

Daily Mirror The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid newspaper. Founded in 1903, it is part of Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the tit ...

'', 10 May 2009"London Marathon major Phil Packer gets over line in 26 hours"
''

Metro Metro may refer to: Geography * Metro City (Indonesia), a city in Indonesia * A metropolitan area, the populated region including and surrounding an urban center Public transport * Rapid transit, a passenger railway in an urban area with high ...

'', 27 April 2010 The same year with support from an expert climbing team led by Andy Kirkpatrick, Packer was brought up

El Capitan El Capitan (; ) is a vertical Rock formations in the United States, rock formation in Yosemite National Park, on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The El Capitan Granite, granite monolith is about from base to summit alo ...

, the granite cliff in

Yosemite National Park Yosemite National Park ( ) is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States in California. It is bordered on the southeast by Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The p ...

, over a period of 3 days.Major Phil Packer: 'I don't want to let other people down'
Phil Reay-Smith, ''The Daily Telegraph'', 11 June 2009 In 2010 Packer and

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

presenter

Kate Silverton Kate Silverton (born 4 August 1970) is an English child therapist. She formerly worked as a broadcaster and newsreader for the BBC. Silverton was a regular presenter of ''BBC News at One'' and '' BBC Weekend News'', as well as making occasiona ...

, with other personalities, took part in the

National Three Peaks Challenge The National Three Peaks Challenge is an event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours. It is frequently used to raise money for charitable organisations. Walkers climb each pe ...

for

Sport Relief ''Sport Relief'' was a wikt:biennial, biennial charity event from Comic Relief, in association with BBC Sport, established in 2002. It was the idea of Kevin Cahill, CBE, who had joined Comic Relief in 1991 to establish a new department as Dire ...

, climbing the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in 72 hours. The challenge was the focus of the BBC documentary ''A Major Mountain to Climb''."Iraq War veteran Phil Packer and BBC newsreader Kate Silverton complete Three Peaks Challenge"
''The Daily Telegraph'', 10 March 2010 He also took part in the 2010 London Marathon, completing it in 26 hours. From January to December 2012, Packer walked 2012 miles throughout the U.K. and Northern Ireland, to raise awareness of his charity."Chichester College is proud to be supporting the British Inspiration Trust"
Chichester College news In September 2015, Packer again walked a marathon through London, taking 14 hours, to raise funds for BRIT.

Charity positions

In 2010, Packer founded the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT), which aims to "deliver inspiration to young people facing adversity (who are physically or mentally disabled, deprived, have medical conditions, are injured or wounded)". The Trust was launched with an event at

10 Downing Street 10 Downing Street in London is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, prime minister of the United Kingdom. Colloquially known as Number 10, the building is located in Downing Street, off Whitehall in th ...

with Prime Minister

David Cameron David William Donald Cameron, Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton (born 9 October 1966) is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016. Until 2015, he led the first coalition government in the UK s ...

.Inspirational Malmesbury teen chosen for Iraq hero's new inspiration charity
Tina Robins, ''Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard'', 2 December 2010 His principal role is with BRIT but he has also held positions in other charities: * Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust (2009–present) * Special Ambassador for The

Royal Yachting Association The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is a United Kingdom national governing body for sailing, dinghy sailing, yacht and motor cruising, sail racing, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative for i ...

's Sailability Program (2009–present) * Ambassador for The

Douglas Bader Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader, (; 21 February 1910 – 5 September 1982) was a Royal Air Force flying ace during the Second World War. He was credited with 22 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared ...

Foundation (2009–present) * Patron for The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

NSPCC The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a British child protection charity founded as the Liverpool Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (LSPCC) by Thomas Agnew on 19 April 1883. The NSPCC lobbies t ...

Team GO (2009–present) * Patron of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) (2009–present) * Vice Patron of The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity (2011–present) * Ambassador for The UK

The Scout Association The Scout Association is the largest organisation in the Scout Movement in the Scouting in the United Kingdom, United Kingdom. Following the rapid development of the Scouting, Scout Movement from 1907, The Scout Association was formed in 1910 ...

Scout Association (2012–present) * Ambassador for The Calvert Trust (2009–2014) * Special Ambassador for The

Army Benevolent Fund The Army Benevolent Fund, formerly ABF The Soldiers' Charity, is the national charity of the British Army. Since 1944, it has provided a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families when they are in need. In the finan ...

– The Soldiers' Charity (2009–2014) * Ambassador for The

Football Foundation The Football Foundation is the United Kingdom's largest sports charity, channelling funding from the Premier League, The FA and the government (through Sport England) into transforming the landscape of grassroots sport in England. History Launc ...

's Inside Right Programme (2009–2014) * Envoy for The

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

and

Royal Marines The Royal Marines provide the United Kingdom's amphibious warfare, amphibious special operations capable commando force, one of the :Fighting Arms of the Royal Navy, five fighting arms of the Royal Navy, a Company (military unit), company str ...

Children’s Fund (2010–2014) * Envoy for Combat Stress (Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society) (2010–2014) * Envoy for The

National Autistic Society The National Autistic Society is a charity for autistic people and their families in the United Kingdom. Since 1962, the National Autistic Society has been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, ser ...

(2010–2014) * Envoy for

Arthritis Arthritis is a general medical term used to describe a disorder that affects joints. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms may include redness, warmth, Joint effusion, swelling, and decreased range of motion of ...

Research UK (2010–2014) * Vice President of The Children's Trust (2011–2014) * Envoy for The Papworth Trust (2011–2014)

Awards

In 2009, he won the Helen Rollason Award at the

BBC Sports Personality of the Year The BBC Sports Personality of the Year is an awards ceremony that takes place annually in December. Devised by Paul Fox in 1954, it originally consisted of just a single award of the same name. Several new awards have been introduced, and cu ...

awards, was "Fundraiser of the Year" at the Pride of Britain Awards,"Fundraiser Of The Year - Major Phil Packer"
Pride of Britain Award Winners 2009 and received the Athlete of the Year Badge from

.Scout's honour for Britain's best

, 31 July 2009 Packer was made appointed

Member of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(MBE) (Mil) in the

Queen's Birthday Honours The Birthday Honours, in some Commonwealth realms, mark the King's Official Birthday, reigning monarch's official birthday in each realm by granting various individuals appointment into Order (honour), national or Dynastic order of knighthood, dy ...

of 2010,Dog unit army major among Queen's honours
BBC News Online, 12 June 2010 and also received the Jane Tomlinson Inspiration Award from ''Runner's World''.
''Runner's World'', 23 April 2010 In 2012, Packer was awarded an honorary

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...

degree in education from the

University of Chichester The University of Chichester is a public university located in West Sussex, England, which became a university in 2005. Campuses are based in the city of Chichester and the nearby coastal resort of Bognor Regis and an associate campus for comm ...

. In 2014, he was awarded a

degree in Psychological Trauma from the

University of Chester The University of Chester is a public university located in Chester, England. The university originated as the first purpose-built teacher training college in the UK. As a university, it now occupies five campuses, campus sites in and around Ch ...

References

External links

Phil Packer official website

British Inspiration Trust website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Packer, Phil 1972 births Living people British Army personnel of the Iraq War English people with disabilities People educated at Eltham College People from Sussex People with paraplegia Royal Military Police officers British charity and campaign group workers National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children people