Phil Packer popped into Berghaus HQ the other day as he passed by on his BRIT 2012 Challenge, meeting Sir Chris Bonington and local primary school pupils. When he left, he still had some 1,272 miles left to walk in his quest to raise finding for a Centre of Inspirational Excellence. Here's the full story direct from Berghaus.
Phil Packer brings the BRIT 2012 Challenge to Berghaus
Charity fundraiser Phil Packer MBE has visited Berghaus as part of his BRIT 2012 Challenge. During 2012, Packer has pledged to walk 2,012 miles to raise £15 million to fund the building of the BRIT Centre of Inspirational Excellence.
The centre will be a facility in West Sussex that will provide a lifeline to help reshape the lives of young people post trauma who face adversity, and it will instil self-belief, self-worth and self-confidence. Berghaus is supporting Phil Packer with essential kit and yesterday welcomed him to the North East, where he was met by the company’s chairman, Sir Chris Bonington.
Phil Packer served in Her Majesty’s Forces for 17 years and sustained spinal cord damage in February 2008 while serving on operational duty. Told that it was unlikely he would walk again, Phil has since confounded that prediction and completed a series of sporting and outdoor challenges. He has also founded BRIT (the British Inspiration Trust) and has dedicated his life to providing support to young people in need.
Berghaus arranged for Phil to meet pupils from Witton Gilbert Primary School in County Durham, who have benefited from time on a course organised by The Outward Bound Trust. Berghaus is a supporter of the Trust and Sir Chris Bonington is one of its trustees.
Sir Chris Bonington comments:
“I am hugely impressed by what Phil Packer is setting out to achieve for young people with the British Inspiration Trust. In my role at The Outward Bound Trust I have seen first hand how the confidence and self belief of young people can be absolutely transformed with the right kind of support.
"Knowing his back story and seeing Phil in action, it is impossible not to be inspired and I am sure that he is already making a big difference to the lives of youngsters around the country. I wish him every success in completing the BRIT 2012 Challenge and in completing his objective of building the centre.”
On arriving in Sunderland, Phil still had 1,272 miles to walk with the journey scheduled to finish in London this December - he set off on 24 January. After leaving Berghaus HQ, he clocked up another eight miles during the day.
To find out more about BRIT visit www.britishinspirationtrust.org.uk.
