PHIL PACKER
Phil's Story and Journey
In 2008, Phil was injured on operational duty whilst serving with Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, and sustained catastrophic spinal cord damage, a bruised heart, and rib injuries.
Post-surgery, hospitalisation, and extensive rehabilitation, a year later, he tackled three physical challenges within six months, galvanising the nation and raising vital funds (over £1.3million) for charity.
With support teams around him, Phil rowed the English Channel, completed the London Marathon on crutches over 14 days, and hauled himself up the sheer rock face of El Capitan, completing 4,250 pullups over 4 days. These events led Phil to be asked to support a wide range of charities and causes in ambassadorial roles and have established him as an inspirational leader within the UK’s national charity, sport, and education sectors.
In 2009, Phil was named Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards, received the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC’s Sport Personality of the Year, and, in 2010, received an MBE (Mil) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
Since 2010, Phil has committed his time, energy, and passion, to leading the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT): a collaborative charity that encourages fundraising for local regional, and national charities; promotes volunteering and civic duty; and focuses on encouraging the delivery of inclusive wellbeing activities for students and staff of all abilities at universities, colleges, and specialist colleges, throughout the UK. To date, over 550 institutions have registered to take part in the BRIT Challenge.
In 2012, Phil completed the 2012 BRIT Challenge — travelling 2012 miles throughout every county of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and on the Isle of Man, Alderney, Jersey, and Guernsey, to understand the mental health challenges faced by young adults and students. Each day he was hosted by a university, college, school, or community, and when institutions were closed, he was joined by members of the Emergency Services and Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. With his spinal cord injury, this was the equivalent of 310 marathon distances in 331 days.
For over 15 years, he has remained the Non-Paid Chief Executive of the British Inspiration Trust. As an example of inspirational volunteering, the charity does not employ any staff;
BRIT relies on volunteer support and gifted services.
In addition to numerous community awards, in 2012, Phil was awarded an honorary Master of Arts Degree from the University of Chichester, in 2014, an honorary Master of Arts in Psychological Trauma from the University of Chester, and in 2022, an honorary Doctorate in Human Sciences from Southampton Solent University and an honorary Doctorate from Buckinghamshire New University.
