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Marathon finish in sight for Major
A courageous London Marathon competitor is due to celebrate reaching the end of the race which began - and ended for most of those taking part - last month. Major Phil Packer makes his way over Tower Bridge at the halfway point of the marathon Major Phil Packer has undertaken the arduous marathon on crutches.
He suffered catastrophic injuries during a rocket attack in Basra, Iraq, in which he lost the use of his legs.
The 36-year-old was told he would never walk again after he was hurt last February, but battled the odds to reach the London Marathon's start line on April 26.
The Royal Military Police Officer will be presented with his medal by Sir Steve Redgrave after finishing the race at around midday at St James's Park on The Mall.
Notching up two miles per day, he hopes to raise £1 million for soldiers' charity Help For Heroes, and has already raised more than £600,000.
Crossing London Bridge a week ago marked the symbolic halfway step for Major Packer in his bid to complete the route.
The soldier, who has served in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, has already undertaken a series of sporting challenges including rowing the English Channel in just over 15 hours and completing a sky dive.
He said of his latest challenge: "Like the other thousands of fundraisers who support Help for Heroes, I have reasons for feeling so passionate about this charity.
"While in hospital I really needed something to pull me through some very dark and lonely days - Help for Heroes has done this and really helped me cope with what has happened."
A courageous London Marathon competitor is due to celebrate reaching the end of the race which began - and ended for most of those taking part - last month. Major Phil Packer makes his way over Tower Bridge at the halfway point of the marathon Major Phil Packer has undertaken the arduous marathon on crutches.
He suffered catastrophic injuries during a rocket attack in Basra, Iraq, in which he lost the use of his legs.
The 36-year-old was told he would never walk again after he was hurt last February, but battled the odds to reach the London Marathon's start line on April 26.
The Royal Military Police Officer will be presented with his medal by Sir Steve Redgrave after finishing the race at around midday at St James's Park on The Mall.
Notching up two miles per day, he hopes to raise £1 million for soldiers' charity Help For Heroes, and has already raised more than £600,000.
Crossing London Bridge a week ago marked the symbolic halfway step for Major Packer in his bid to complete the route.
The soldier, who has served in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, has already undertaken a series of sporting challenges including rowing the English Channel in just over 15 hours and completing a sky dive.
He said of his latest challenge: "Like the other thousands of fundraisers who support Help for Heroes, I have reasons for feeling so passionate about this charity.
"While in hospital I really needed something to pull me through some very dark and lonely days - Help for Heroes has done this and really helped me cope with what has happened."
