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Pair to raise funds for SSAFA Forces Help in ‘26’ challenge

Phil Packer will be supporting The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association – Forces Help in his latest gruelling fundraising challenge.

The former Army Major, who suffered severe spinal cord injuries in Iraq in 2008, plans to walk the 26 miles of the Virgin London Marathon in 26 hours for young people with a disability, deprived young people and injured service personnel.

Phil has selected 26 charities to benefit from his ‘26’ challenge, which will take place from Sunday, April 25th, to Monday, April 26th. SSAFA Forces Help will be joining him for the 24th mile and has nominated Marine Andrew Grant to accompany him as its ‘Support Walker’.

Andy, 21, was seriously wounded in Afghanistan in February 2009 when he and a friend were caught in an IED explosion triggered by a trip wire. Andy sustained shrapnel wounds to all four limbs, the bones in his right leg were smashed and his femoral artery severed. Andy was in an induced coma for two weeks at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham where he spent three months in total before moving to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court. During that time Andy and his family were able to stay at both of the SSAFA Norton Homes for injured service personnel and their relatives.

He said: “For me taking part in the marathon, albeit only a mile, is a great personal milestone as I have a had a huge metal frame on my leg for over a year and haven’t been able to walk unaided in that time. Not only is this a great opportunity for me to raise money and say thank you to SSAFA for all their help and support but also a great opportunity for me to challenge myself on a personal level which I am really looking forward to.”

Phil said: “I have had pleasure in supporting SSAFA for over 17 years. From the day they join and for the rest of their lives, our soldiers, sailors and airmen can depend on SSAFA.
“2010 marks SSAFA’s 125th anniversary and they are hoping to raise an extra £1.25million towards work providing direct, practical support to our servicemen and women and their families.  
“Andy and I hope you will donate to support the thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen who need that support.”

SSAFA Forces Help Director of Fundraising, Claire Hoather, said: “We are thrilled that Phil has picked SSAFA Forces Help to take part in ‘26’. It is an amazing challenge to take on and will not only raise much-needed funds but will also raise awareness of SSAFA’s vital work supporting servicemen and women and their families.
“We hope that Phil and Andy will inspire people to support SSAFA at a time when our troops need our help more than ever.”

To sponsor Phil and Andy visit www.ssafa.org.uk