I am about to embark on my walk
in every county of the North East and complete the East of England, so before I
go I wanted to update you on the last few weeks.
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The BRIT Fire Fighter Jacket
being
worn at Kingsdown
Special Needs School
in Southend-on-Sea
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As you know, the British
Inspiration Trust (BRIT) operates with minimal overheads and only one paid
member of staff. I rely on gifted support from businesses to keep my overheads
low and from voluntary support to assist with my 2012 Mile Challenge. I am keen
to involve young people at the heart of what we do and since my last blog; I
met with interested student volunteers from the University of Chichester.
Interns and members of our
community willing to volunteer their time, energy and enthusiasm will
undoubtedly help move BRIT forward and Chichester College have very kindly
agreed to provide a base for our volunteers throughout the summer. I was truly
impressed by this group of young people and look forward to working with them.
They are part of BRIT’s College and University Partnership Programme and will
specifically be helping with the social media campaign. While I use twitter and
write a blog, BRIT needs young people to reach out to other young people throughout
the county as I visit each county.
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A warm welcome from the young people
at
Kingsdown Special Needs School in Southend-on-Sea
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In addition, Shelagh Legrave, the
Principle of Chichester College wrote to Martin Doel, the Chief Executive of
the Association of Colleges (AOC), who has kindly given his support and written
to all the Colleges within the AOC to encourage them to host me as I walk in
every county of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. By hosting, I am able to
walk with students and schools that the colleges want to invite and their
campus becomes a hub for the day’s walk; a focal point for the county, the
community and young people within their county. Colleges and Universities have
been tremendous supporters and I hope this will continue in each county.
When you plan an endeavour like
the BRIT 2012 Challenge, there are two things you cannot plan for, one is the
weather and the other is illness. So far the weather has only resulted in one
delayed visit to the Isles of Scilly. Unfortunately though, for the past couple
of weeks I have been battling some internal medical issues. With internal
paralysis and no bladder or bowel functions I have to be careful. I get
frequent urinary tract infections, however something hasn’t been right for a
considerable time so I have been walking in West Sussex to reduce my miles,
walking in some East of England counties and juggling the venues in the East
and North East of England which are now planned for May.
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Taking time to learn and understand
the
complexity of young people with special needs
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What I am keen to do when I am in
West Sussex is visit Special Needs Schools and local schools so I not only
reduce my miles, but am able to spend time with young people, carers and staff.
We are asking Special Needs Schools and Schools in West Sussex who would like
me to visit, spend time with the young people and involve them with the BRIT
2012 Challenge.
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Joined by schools during my visit to
Essex
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If you would like to be involved
in assisting with the BRIT 2012 Challenge or BRIT as a charity, contact details
are on the BRIT website at www.britishinspirationtrust.org.uk, BRIT is on
Facebook at BRITInspiration and I am on Twitter @PhilPacker.
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Checking equipment, clothing and
medicationbefore packing for Month 5 of the BRIT 2012 Challenge and departing
for the North East of England
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Wishing everyone a very happy
May,
Phil