Weather Tonight: 4°c Partly Cloudy Night Morning: 8°c Cloudy

News

Major Phil Packer
Marathon effort: Major Phil Packer

Schoolboys join paraplegic Major as he walks to help fellow heroes

29 Apr 2009


A paraplegic soldier today entered his fourth day of the London marathon, supported by pupils from his former school.

Major Phil Packer, 36, of the Royal Military Police, was injured in Basra as he took cover in a rocket attack. A year ago doctors told him he would never walk again but he is currently covering two miles of the marathon course every day in a bid to raise £1 million for Help for Heroes.

Pupils from Eltham College, south-east London, and his former sports teacher Adrian Thomas joined him today, as well as his company sergeant major Kat Gallagher, who was with him when he was injured.

Major Packer said: “I ache but I am determined to do this. Seeing people coming out to support me is really inspiring. I do have a special bond with my sergeant major as she did not leave my side when I was injured. It is a very special day.”

Reader views (3)

 Add your view

Brilliant Armed Forces. Even Labour can't smash their spirit.

- Jamal Akhbar, Edinburgh, 29/04/2009 16:30
Report abuse

I am proud to say Phil is a mate of mine. Please support him in his endeavours.

Contributions welcome through the following websites:

www.philpacker.com

www.helpforheroes.org.uk

- Frank, Home Counties, England., 29/04/2009 16:20
Report abuse

Good luck now and in the future.
Ex Scots Guards.

- Keith Hawke, LANCASHIRE ENGLAND, 29/04/2009 15:42
Report abuse


Add your comment

 

Terms and conditions Make text area bigger You have  characters left.

We welcome your opinions. This is a public forum. Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.

For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.


 

 

  • Riot axeman terror at McDonald's Axe man A rioter who terrorised diners with an axe at McDonald's has been jailed for five years and three months - one of the toughest sentences for...
  • Terror of boy exposed as gang witness Scotland Yard A boy and his family had to flee their London home after a blunder by the Met and Crown Prosecution Service gave his name to gang members he...
  • Mayor of poverty-hit council hires adviser in £1,000-a-day deal Lutfur Rahman Winterbottom One of the poorest boroughs in London is under fire for spending £1,000 a day on a personal aide for its mayor
  • Hyde Park mega-concerts at risk after neighbours complain about the noise Hyde park crowd Major music concerts in Hyde Park could be axed because Westminster council believes they are too noisy
  • Soho 'field hospital' for drunks reopens David Cameron smile A field hospital set up to deal with London's drunks is being extended as the binge-drinking crisis deepens in the capital
  • Jobless total jumps by 48,000 with UK facing 'zig-zag year' Job Centre unemployment Bank of England Governor Sir Mervyn King warned Britain faces a "zig-zag" year of growth and gloom today as unemployment rose by 48,000
  • Greens and Ukip could test Paddick in fight for mayor poll third place Paddick Brian Paddick could struggle even to finish third in this year's mayoral election, as smaller parties look set to capitalise on Lib-Dem woes...
  • Phone-hack private eye can appeal over human rights ruling Glenn Mulcaire The private investigator at the centre of the phone hacking scandal was today granted the right by the Supreme Court to appeal against a...
  • Britain's athletes could be banned from 2012 for criticising the team Olympic site British athletes risk being banned from the Olympics if they criticise team-mates or sponsors under rules that cover tattoos, contact lenses...
  • Teenager who dreamt of being a judge stabbed 24 times in 45 seconds Three thugs are facing life sentences for stabbing a teenager who had dreams of being a judge 24 times in 45 seconds in front of horrified bus passengers
  •  

    Don't Miss
    • London Gateway

      Supersize superport: London Gateway

      London Gateway, the £1.5bn container port under construction on the Thames at Thurrock, will have capacity to unload six of the world's largest ships at one time and have as much impact on the capital as a new airport or half a dozen Westfield shopping centres
    • Matthew Williamson

      One stylish affair: Matthew Williamson

      With London Fashion Week kicking off on Friday, British designer Matthew Williamson tells Rosamund Urwin about breaking up with his ex, post-show partying and his new model man