Phil Packer

Philip Michael 'Phil' Packer, MBE MA (Ed) (honoris causa) MA (honoris causa) FRSA (born 1972) is an influencer and champion of charitable support and fundraising causes for young people. He is the founder and non-paid CEO of The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) and a patron and ambassador of a number of other charities supporting young people. His aim is "To deliver inspiration, create greater inclusion and to influence in the areas of self-harm, depression and mental health at the highest level in order to improve the vital support for young people experiencing trauma in their lives."

Surgery and Rehabilitation

Phil Packer learning how to climb stairs at RNOH Stanmore as a wheelchair user

Packer sustained catastrophic spinal cord injuries in 2008, whilst on operational duty. When first told of the extent of his injuries, Packer was devastated.^[1]^[2] He suffered a bruised heart, broken ribs, and a motor complete T12/L1 Spinal Cord Injury.^[3]^[4] Doctors who treated him at the time told the 36 year old he would never walk again.^[5] Following surgery and recuperation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore, and later at the Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey, his spinal cord injury improved to T12/L1 motor incomplete. However, although his mobility has shown some improvement, he is unable to control his body temperature due to nerve damage and has no bladder or bowel function. His sexual function was also affected. ^[6]

Whilst these are sensitive issues, he openly discusses his own problems in order to break down the barriers that young people with similar challenges face. He uses his own personal experience of psychological trauma and depression to promote a wider understanding of mental health issues, particularly in young people. “Frank and honest discussion raises awareness of the problem and reduces social stigma,” he says.

Acceptance and Inspiration

Phil Packer at the Headley Court gym in late 2008 where he had started to train for his Channel Row in between rehabilitation sessions

A sense of duty provided the acceptance of his situation and is also the driving force in all his charity endeavours. He said “The realisation of not being able to serve in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces was, initially, a crushing blow to my self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth”.

Packer found the motivation to move forward initially from the friends and family who were there at his side. Their unconditional support helped him to meet the physical and mental challenges of his situation and after 5 months of surgery and intensive support, he had surpassed all medical expectations for his recovery.

He said “I owe my mobility and ability to walk again to my surgeon, Jan Lehovsky, and the tremendous team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital under the leadership of Dr Angela Gall. I am so fortunate and know how lucky I am to live the life I have”.

Despite his injuries, Packer found himself inspired during his treatment and convalescence by those around him whom he felt were less fortunate than himself.^[1]^[2]^[7] The injured service-personnel, veterans and young people whom he met during this time spurred him on. "^[8] He said “The sense of duty that fulfilled my military life became possible again through charities inviting me to fill ambassadorial roles. This gave me a new perspective to live life to the full and give back to those who are struggling both physically and mentally”.

As his recuperation progressed, a number of key individuals offered their support, most notably Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Sir Steve Redgrave, who, amongst many others, continue to encourage Packer in his endeavours.

Physical Challenges to raise funds and awareness

Packer, determined not to let the dark moments engulf him,^[3]^[8] began attempting gruelling physical challenges both to raise money, and to help himself recuperate psychologically from his injuries.^[7]^[9]

2009

Packer hauling himself up El Capitan in Yosemete National Park; 4 days and 4250 pull-ups

His three main challenges in 2009 were completed within six months.

Packer's aim was to complete three physical challenges within 6 months in order to raise £1million for wounded service personnel.

He rowed the English Channel with Alastair Humphreys on 14 February, less than a year after his injury.^[10]^[11]

Next he entered the 2009 London Marathon.^[4] Because of his ongoing therapy—he had only been walking on crutches for a month—his doctors recommended that he walk no more than two miles a day, and consequently it took him thirteen days to complete the course, then the longest time in the event's history.^[10] He was met with a rapturous reception on The Mall and presented with his finisher's medal by Sir Steve Redgrave. By the end of the marathon he had raised £637,000 for wounded ex-servicemen.^[12]^[13]

The same year with support from an expert climbing team led by Andrew Kirkpatrick, Packer scaled El Capitan, the granite cliff in Yosemite National Park. This involved over 4,250 pull-ups and sleeping suspended on the side of the mountain for 3 days.^[11]^[14]^[15] The climbing team included British Climbers; Ian Parnell, Paul Tattersall and Ben Pritchard.

In total he raised over £1.3 million for the wounded in 2009.^[11]

2010

Inspirational Figures, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE DL & Sir Clive Woodward OBE, join Kate Silverton and Phil Packer on Mount Snowdon as they complete the 3 Peaks for Sport Relief in 72 hours

In 2010 Packer and BBC presenter Kate Silverton took part in the National Three Peaks Challenge for Sport Relief, climbing the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in 72 hours. They were supported by a team including Alastair Humphreys and Andy Kirkpatrick and joined on Snowdon by Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Clive Woodward. The challenge was the focus of the BBC documentary A Major Mountain to Climb.^[11]^[14]

He also took part in the 2010 London Marathon, this time walking each mile with a young person from a different charity, raising money and awareness for 26 charities. He completed the marathon in his new target time of 26 hours.^[13]^[16]

2012

Packer walked 2012 miles throughout every county of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the year 2012, to meet young people facing trauma throughout the United Kingdom, raise awareness of his charity the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) and meet charities, colleges and universities. He was hosted each day by either a voluntary youth organization, charity, school, college or university. He walked in every county of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland as well as Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and the Isle of Man. He met tens of thousands of young people throughout his challenge.^[17] Packer began his BRIT 2012 Challenge on the 26 January 2012 in Chichester, West Sussex. The challenge conclude on 19 December 2012 in Canary Wharf, London.^[18]

The BRIT 2012 Challenge equated to 310 marathon distances in 331 days. Dr. Angela Gall, the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Consultant at the London Spinal Injury Centre, said:

“As for his 2012 mile walk, this needs to be put into context with his spinal cord injury. Walking 2012 miles throughout 2012 was an enormous challenge. The literature (physiological cost index) estimates the energy Phil uses when walking is 3 to 4 times that of someone without a spinal cord injury. This means that walking for Phil is very effortful, he uses a lot of energy and puts additional stress on his musculoskeletal system. 8 to 10 miles a day is a fantastic achievement and required a great deal of effort and determination. Phil was walking an equivalent of a marathon distance effort a day”.

British Inspiration Trust

In 2010 Phil 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)". BRIT is intended to be "a charity for charities", and have inspirational figures serving as BRIT Mentors, giving 24 hours each year to young people. In the long term the aim is to create a Centre of Inspirational Excellence to support charities.^[11]^[19] The Trust was launched with an event at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister David Cameron. It has received the backing of numerous celebrities, including Ranulph Fiennes, Richard Branson and paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson.^[19]^[20]

Charity Appointments

His principal role is as the founder and non-paid CEO of The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) but he retains strong relationships with numerous charities that he has worked closely with for many years. These special relationships include;

Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust (2009 - present)

Special Ambassador for The Royal Yachting Association’s Sailability Program (2009 - present)

Ambassador for The Douglas Bader Foundation (2009 - present)

Patron for The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children NSPCC 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 Scout Association (2012 - present)

He stepped down from a number of charities in 2014, however maintains special relationships with them;

Ambassador for The Calvert Trust (2009 - 2014)

Special Ambassador for The Army Benevolent Fund – The Soldiers’ Charity (2009 - 2014)

Ambassador for The Football Foundation’s Inside Right Programme (2009 - 2014)

Envoy for The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund (2010 – 2014)

Envoy for Combat Stress (Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society) (2010 – 2014)

Envoy for The National Autistic Society (2010 – 2014)

Envoy for Arthritis 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 awards, was "Fundraiser of the Year" at the Pride of Britain Awards,^[21] was named "Most intrepid man" by The Observer newspaper,^[22] and received the Athlete of the Year Badge from The Scout Association.^[23]

Packer was made appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) (Mil) in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2010,^[24]^[25] and also received the Jane Tomlinson Inspiration Award from Runner's World.^[26]

In 2012, Packer was awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Chichester. In 2014, he was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Psychological Trauma from the University of Chester.