Motherwell and Ayr support inspirational injured serviceman

Crews from Motherwell and Ayr recently showed their support to injured ex-serviceman Phil Packer.

Crews from Group 3 Motherwell and Group 5 Ayr recently showed their support to injured ex-serviceman Phil Packer. Phil is currently walking 2012 miles across the UK in order to raise awareness of adversity and trauma in young people, despite being told he was unlikely to ever walk again following a spinal cord injury in 2008.

Since 2008, Phil has rowed the Channel, walked the London Marathon over 14 days and hauled himself up El Capitan.  He raised 1.3 million for the wounded and that year became Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards and was given the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

In 2010, he turned his attention to supporting young people who face adversity. He climbed the three Peaks in 72 hours for Sport Relief and then completed the London Marathon in 26 hours for 26 charities, walking each mile with a young person from each of the charities.

Phil plans to build a centre in West Sussex for young people, providing short residential courses aimed at building self-worth and self-confidence.

Both crews were thrilled to support Phil by walking some of the 2012 miles with him. Not only were they impressed with him but greatly motivated by his courage and spirit.

Pictured above are Group 5 at Ayr who met up with Phil at Ayr beach and pictured below is Group 3 at Motherwell who joined Phil at Strathclyde Park.