Phil Visits Mary Hare

“We were grateful that Phil was able to visit us and would like to thank Jade for telling him all about us!”
Sally Beckett

Phil Packer visits Mary Hare
At the end of September we welcomed special visitor Phil Packer to school. After sustaining a spinal injury in Iraq in
2008, he has undertaken a series of sporting challenges for charity.  In 2010, Phil planned to walk the 26 miles of the London Marathon, in 26 hours for 26 charities. Each mile was dedicated to a charity that helps disadvantaged young
people across the UK. Mile three was dedicated to the National Deaf Children’s
Society.

Jade Potter in Year 12 completed the third marathon mile alongside Phil. Jade talked about her life at Mary
Hare as she walked with Phil and he was so impressed by what he heard that he came to visit us at school.On the day of his visit Phil was met by Jade and Mr Shaw. Phil presented Jade with a signed photographic memory of the marathon before visiting classes in Media Studies, DT and Art and Design. He chatted to students before having
lunch with Jade.Phil then visited the Music Department where the school band performed with Jade on drums. Iain Botting and Jeff Robinson played a composition of their own entitled Packer Power.  They presented this on CD
to Phil who remarked that it made a good birthday present for him!

Phil left, determined to continue the link that he had made with Jade and to use the information he had gained, as he embarks on a new life dedicated to supporting young people with disabilities, deprived young people and injured
service personnel.

Phil’s intent is to raise £15m to provide a residential Centre of Excellence for Young People with Disabilities between the ages of 16 and 25.

“I was excited to see Phil, he promised that he would come to Mary Hare and I was really pleased to show him around the school. I think he enjoyed my performance on the drums!”
Jade Potter