PHIL PACKER 2012 Miles...Uni students are getting behind my campaign

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 column 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 university outreach 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.

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, 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.

What I am keen to do when I am in West Sussex is visit special needs schools and local schools in our community so I not only reduce my miles, but am able to spend time with young people, carers and staff.

If you know schools and special needs schools that would like me to visit, spend time with the young people and involve them with the BRIT 2012 Challenge, do let me know.

Contact details are on the BRIT website at www.britishinspirationtrust.org.uk , BRIT is on Facebook at BRITInspiration and I am on Twitter @PhilPacker

Wishing everyone in our community a very happy May,

Phil