PHIL PACKER
Phil Packer MBE (Mil.)
Dedicated to making a positive difference to the lives of young adults, students, and staff.
After a military career that spanned 17 years, Phil retired from Her Majesty’s Armed Forces to embark on a new life as an Ambassador and Patron for Mental Health, Fitness and Wellbeing.
Timeline (Post Spinal Cord Injury)
19th February 2008
Injury
Phil was injured on Operational Duty whilst serving in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. He sustained injuries to his heart, ribs and catastrophic damage to his spinal cord.
20th February 2008
Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC)
99 Squadron, Royal Air Force flew Phil back to the United Kingdom, accompanied throughout by his then Sergeant Major, Kat Larkin, in a C17 Globemaster III. He was stabilised, and remained sedated, at The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Kat remained with Phil until he was reunited with his parents and sister.
1st March 2008
With support from his Brother-In-Law, Dr Martez Jawad FRCP (Ed), who assisted by securing agreement from Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon, Mr Jan Lehovsky FRCS, to operate on him, Phil was transferred to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) Stanmore where he underwent surgery, to unkink his spinal cord and place a protective cage around the base of his spine. Phil was supported throughout his hospitalisation by Spinal Cord Injury Consultant, Dr Angela Gall MB ChB MRCP, and the staff at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre.
Surgery
May 2008
Phil is given permission by RNOH Stanmore and the Ministry of Defence, to fly to Germany and welcome the serving Royal Military Police Officers, who he last saw before he was injured and who were under his command, back from their Operational Deployment. The Medal Ceremony that followed in Roberts Barracks, Osnabrück Garrison, was the last official Military Engagement for Phil. He returned to the UK for the remainder of his hospital care and rehabilitation.
Last Engagement in Uniform
March to July 2008
Under the leadership of Dr Angela Gall, Phil was provided with post-surgery care and rehabilitation. At that time the prognosis was that it was highly unlikely Phil would walk again.
Rehabilitation
July 2008 to February 2009
Phil remained an outpatient of RNOH and then attended rehabilitation at the Defence Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court. Over the period of his hospitalisation and rehabilitation, Phil’s T12/L1 Spinal Cord Injury changed from Motor Complete (complete paralysis below the waist) to Motor Incomplete. His mobility improved to the extent that he learnt to walk again and relied less on his wheelchair. Phil’s spinal cord injury remains Sensory Incomplete (altered sensation in his legs), he has no temperature regulation, no bladder or bowel function) and now walks with the aid of a stick.
Improved Mobility
July 2008 to Present Day
Medical Procedures and Medication
Phil is acutely aware that many people who live with spinal cord injuries, and especially young adults and children who sustain spinal cord injuries, struggle to talk about bladder and bowel function. Phil includes details of self-catheterising and using the Peristeen Plus system to destigmatise.
Since post-surgery and hospitalisation, Phil has been prescribed medication daily for neuropathic pain and muscular-skeletal pain, and also for fending off Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) that are commonplace for those who self-catheterise.
8th October 2008
£1m fundraising target launch with Red Devils Challenge
To regain self-worth, self-esteem, and to prove he can still contribute, in late 2008, Phil set a target of raising £1milion for the wounded. Mindful he was then a Wheelchair User and undergoing rehabilitation, The Red Devils invited him to join them for a Tandem Sky Dive to mark the start of his fundraising challenge and give him increased confidence.
His Majesty the King, then His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, writes to encourage and thank Phil.
Late 2008
Inspirational Individuals become aware of his vision, send messages of support to encourage Phil and lend their voices to the campaign:
“Phil, I admire your fortitude your determination and strength of mind. My support and good wishes go with you as you tackle what is probably the hardest journey of your life! It will be incredibly tough and there will be some times when you will want to give up but the reminder of what you are raising money for and the things you are going to experience in your sporting challenges will keep you moving forward. The very best of luck to you Phil.”
Sir Ranulph Fiennes Bt OBE
Inspirational Support
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14th February 2009
Phil embarks on a set of three physical fundraising challenges to raise awareness of his fundraising campaign. The first is to row The English Channel with British Adventure and Author, Al Humphreys. They complete their row in 15 hours and receive messages of support during the row from HRH The Prince of Wales, The Prime Minister and The Chief of the Defence Staff, The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Chief of the General Staff and Chief of the Air Staff. The British Media support Phil with coverage and the British Public are made aware of the fundraising target and donations start to pour in.
Channel Row with Al Humphreys
26th April 2009
Initially, whilst hospitalised at RNOH Stanmore, Phil was intent on completing the 2009 London Marathon in a race wheelchair. When he was able to stand and was learning to walk again, he sought advice from his Spinal Injury Consultant, Dr Angela Gall, who advised him that he could set a 6-month target of training, dependent on his rehabilitation and mobility, and a marathon target to walk a maximum of 2 miles a day on crutches. Phil approached London Marathon who gave him dispensation to complete the London Marathon over a 2-week period as his second fundraising challenge for the wounded.
Phil is congratulated at the finish line by one of his heroes; Sir Steve Redgrave CBE DL.
2-week London Marathon on crutches
July 2009
British Mountaineer, Andy Kirkpatrick challenges Phil to climb El Capitan. Supported by Andy, and British Mountaineers Ian Parnell and Paul Tattersall, Phil uses a pully system to haul himself up the ropes behind the support team and completes 3250 pull-ups over 4 days to reach the top of El Capitan.
The support of the media and the public, through their donations, is overwhelming. The fundraising campaign exceeds £1.3million for the wounded.
El Capitan
2009
The support of the media and the public, through their donations, is overwhelming. The fundraising campaign exceeds £1.3million for the wounded.
The Guardian name Phil as Most Intrepid Man
2009
Phil receives The Flag of The United States of America that was flown over the United States Capitol to commemorate Phil’s climb up El Capitan as a paraplegic to raise awareness and support young people with disabilities.
Flag of The United States of America
November 2009
Phil receives the Fundraiser of the Year Award at The Pride of Britain Awards that was presented by Dame Vera Lynn CH DBE OStJ and Katherine Jenkins OBE.
Pride of Britain
July 2009
Phil receives the Helen Rollason Award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year that was presented by Sir Steve Redgrave CBE DL.
Helen Rollason Award
March 2010
Phil and BBC Journalist Kate Silverton complete the 3 Peaks for Sport Relief, climbing and descending each mountain in 24 hours and driving overnight to reach the next peak. They are led and supported by Andy Kirkpatrick on Ben Nevis and Al Humphreys on Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon. Sir Steve Redgrave CBE DL and Sir Clive Woodward OBE join them on their Mount Snowdon ascent. The climbs are challenging as Phil’s mobility is limited and therefore his ascents take much longer than usual; this requires patience and resilience from the support team who are braving the low temperatures and winter conditions whilst waiting for Phil to climb.
Concurrently, the BBC film the Sport Relief Challenge and the London Marathon for an Inside Sport Documentary called “A Major Mountain to Climb” which focuses on Phil’s transition from Her Majesty’s Armed Forces to Civilian Life.
April 2010
Phil completes the London Marathon in 26 hours for 26 charities. For every mile he walks, a young Ambassador and Charity Representative join him to talk about their journey and the role of their charity. The aim of the Marathon is to raise awareness of the work of their charities and enable each charity’s staff, and the young adults and their families, to collect donations along the way.
London Marathon in 26 Hours
April 2010
Phil is honoured with a MBE (Military) in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List and receives the Honour from Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
MBE (Military) Award
March 2010 - December 2011
Phil visits over 55 Charity Chief Executives who support young people facing trauma and adversity in their lives. They all agree that there is a vital requirement for a Centre to be built which can deliver residential respite, inspirational themed courses, and signpost young people to further opportunities and support, however they lack the funds to be able to achieve this goal. Phil founds the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) to start to bring organisations together with the vision to build a Centre of Inspiration that they will use. Each Chief Executive agrees to become an Advisor and for their Charity to partner with BRIT.
British Inspiration Trust
January 2011
Over 50 inspirational figures agree to support the vision. One of the aims of BRIT is for everything to be gifted; to ensure there are low overheads, the public are not asked to donate (and so BRIT does not compete with other charities) and businesses are encouraged to gift their services or financial support.
The charity is launched in January 2011 at No.10 Downing Street at a reception hosted by the then Prime Minister, now The Rt Hon. The Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton.
Downing Street
24th January 2012 to 18th December 2012
2012 miles; the equivalent of 310 marathon distances in 331 days
To fully understand the Charity Sector and how charities, young people, colleges, universities, special needs schools and organisations tackle Adversity, Disability and Mental Health, Phil sets out to walk 2012 miles throughout every County of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the Isle of Man, Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Shetland.
BRIT 2012 Challenge
24th January 2012 to 18th December 2012
Olympic Torch Relay
Phil was hosted each day by a charity, school, college, university, military unit, emergency service or community; often a mix of all on the same day. On one of the days, in Kensington, London, he was honoured to be part of the Olympic Torch Relay.
BRIT 2012 Challenge
24th January 2012 to 18th December 2012
With his Spinal Cord Injury, the effort of walking 1 mile is the equivalent of 3 – 4 miles for someone without a spinal cord injury, and Phil completed the equivalent of 310 marathon distances in 331 days. He was joined and hosted by tens of thousands of young people, students, veterans, serving military personnel and the emergency services.
His UK-wide year-long challenge reached hundreds of thousands of young people and students as well as the hundreds of communities he visited throughout the United Kingdom.
BRIT 2012 Challenge
24th January 2012 to 18th December 2012
Ben Fogle writes about Phil in The telegraph.
“While the achievements of our Olympians have dominated people’s thoughts, far from the adulation one man is pushing his own physical limits in an admirable challenge. I have been fortunate enough to meet Phil a number of times and I find him inspirational. I hope to join him for some of his journey. It is a Herculean task, and although he won’t be on any podium, the way he has inspired others is a true reflection of the Olympic spirit.”
BRIT 2012 Challenge
2013
The start of a year to physical recovery from the 2012 challenge and a return to work in support of the charities of which Phil is a Patron or Ambassador.
BRIT 2012 Challenge
June 2013
Between Thursday 20th – Saturday 22nd June, Phil teamed up with young people from HRH The Prince of Wales’ Young Dragons initiative and Mentors from his visionary charity, the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT), and completes the WAAT4 Challenge in the Brecon Beacons.
The WAAT4 Challenge, a 40K circular team navigation challenge, is set amongst the iconic Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons and features elements of two Special Forces selection routes.
The eight miles of arduous terrain that the team walked each day is, for Phil, the equivalent of over a marathon due to his injury.
WAAT4 Challenge in the Brecon Beacons
June 2013
They finished in time to present prizes to the 100 teams who were completing their WAAT4 Challenge. This event is organised by Dyfed-Powys Police, supported by the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, Wales Air Ambulance and The Ghurkas. Their simple objective is to raise money to support good causes.
The Young Dragons is a partnership led by HRH The Prince of Wales that aims to increase opportunities for young people to engage in structured activities that benefit local communities. It involves collaboration between uniformed youth organisations (Scouts, Girlguiding, St John Ambulance, Military Cadets, Police Cadets, Fire Cadets, Boys and Girls Brigade, etc.).
WAAT4 Challenge in the Brecon Beacons
2013
The remainder of the year is spent continuing to work closely with charity partners, developing relationships and forging ahead to strengthen the case for the BRIT Centre.
2014
The vast majority of 2014 is spent training for the 2015 Marathon Challenge. In addition to carrying out Ambassador and Patron duties for charities, Phil visits many of the organisations and friends who have supported him.
2014
Chichester University’s Institute of Sport, and the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, prepare Phil throughout 2014 for his April 2015 Marathon Challenge. Due to a change in rule registration for entry into the London Marathon, Phil is unable to participate as he would not be able to finish the course in under 8 hours.
His training regime is extended for further 6-months from April 2015 through to September 2015, during which time Phil coordinates and plans a marathon event in London so that he achieves what he set out to do in early 2014.
2015
Six years after completing his 14-day London Marathon, Phil reduces his marathon time to 14 hours in order to raise awareness of young people facing trauma. Inspirational figures, representatives from BRIT’s charity partners, and their young people joined Phil on the BRITATHON route.
Phil is flanked along the whole route by Lieutenant Colonel John Maddison MBE RM, Warrant Officer (Class 1) Tiny Nash RN and Royal Navy Physical Training Instructors from HMS Temeraire. He is congratulated at the finish line by Sir Steve Redgrave CBE DL. Sir Steve had congratulated Phil at the finish line of his first, 2009, London Marathon.
BRITATHON Marathon in London
late 2015 - 2018
Phil’s health deteriorates due to internal complications compounded by his spinal cord injury. Surgery is offered as a last resort.
Dr Angela Gall, Consultant at the London Spinal Injury Centre, RNOH Stanmore, intervenes after Phil loses 4-stone in weight, cannot travel and is unable to fulfil his charitable work. Medical support is provided that is life-changing and delivers an improved quality of life.
Phil collaborates with the Over The Wall charity and hands over all his work and contacts regarding the vision of the British Inspiration Trust’s Centre.
The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) will now focus on delivering non-residential support to young adults, students, and staff, throughout the UK.
2018 - 2019
Phil embarks on an intensive fitness training and nutrition regime under the supervision of Chichester University’s Institute of Sport to regain weight, muscle and focus on strength and conditioning as well as specific training for a planned challenge.
He continues to receive vital support from the RNOH Stanmore on a weekly basis.
2019 - 2020
To build relationships with Universities and Colleges throughout the UK, Phil embarks on a year-long tour when he is hosted at over 250 institutions and meets Vice-Chancellors, College Principals, Student Union Presidents, and their key staff working in the areas of Mental Health, Disability, and Inclusion.
This is part of the first BRIT Challenge.
BRIT Challenge
2020 - Present Day
Phil coordinates and delivers the annual BRIT Challenge as an opportunity for every university, college, specialist college, and Students’ Union, to support and improve the mental health, fitness, and wellbeing of students and staff. The BRIT Challenge encourages the delivery of inclusive wellbeing activities, volunteering, and fundraising.
IMPACT AND SUCCESS
Since 2019, Phil has led the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) to successfully deliver the annual inclusive BRIT Challenge. Over 550 universities and colleges have participated and Phil has forged partnerships and special relationships with a wealth of education and sport governing bodies and charities. To date, he has conducted over 850 visits to universities, colleges, specialist colleges, Students’ Unions, and communities.
Phil has implemented BRIT Regional Steering Groups in the eight regions of England, and Scotland and Wales, as an initiative for student and staff representatives from every UK university, college, specialist college, and Students’ Union to unite around mental health, wellbeing, and inclusion. He is working closely with education governing bodies on a 5-Year Engagement Strategy and continues to build relationships within hundreds of UK universities, colleges, and Students’ Unions.