A Bishop’s Waltham man will be one of 26 support walkers accompanying Phil Packer on his Virgin London Marathon ‘26’ challenge on Sunday 25 April. Gregory Vincent, 19, will walk mile 13 across London’s famous Tower Bridge landmark with Phil to support national charity Epilepsy Action.
Phil suffered serious spinal injuries in 2008 while serving in the British Armed Forces. At 10.00 am on Sunday 25 April, he will start the Virgin London Marathon and finish the 26 miles 26 hours later at 12.00 pm on Monday 26 April. Phil aims to inspire young people living with disabilities and encourage them to reach their potential. He will walk each mile with a different support walker between the ages of 16 and 25, who will be nominated by each charity.
Gregory won a nationwide competition held by Epilepsy Action to find an inspirational young person with epilepsy to represent the charity. Gregory, who has epilepsy and cerebral palsy, will help raise awareness of epilepsy, a neurological condition that is often over-looked and misunderstood.
Gregory, who attends Eastleigh College, developed epilepsy when he was a baby. He also has cerebral palsy in his left leg and left arm. He usually has an epileptic seizure every two to three weeks.
Gregory said: “I’m really looking forward to walking my marathon mile with Phil to raise awareness of epilepsy and Epilepsy Action. I think that walking with Phil will be exciting and fun. He will inspire me to complete my mile as he is someone who has conquered his disability to achieve so much. I have some sense of what this is like having to learn tasks myself when it would have been easy to give up.”
“I have to work longer and harder to achieve the same tasks as others because of my disabilities. I have to have someone to accompany me at all times in case I have a seizure as people are frightened and don’t know how to cope with them. So I’m really looking forward to raising awareness of epilepsy and to show that disability does not have to stop you achieving things in life.”
Phil said: "I am absolutely delighted to be supporting Epilepsy Action as one of the 26 charities I will be walking for in this year's Virgin London Marathon."
"Meeting Greg was great fun and in particular, hearing of his plans for further education. He is a remarkable young man and I am looking forward to our mile and spending more time together to raise greater awareness of epilepsy and the need to fund vital support."
Philippa Cartwright, fundraising events manager at Epilepsy Action, said: “We are thrilled and honoured that Phil and Gregory will be walking to support Epilepsy Action. Their mile together is a fantastic way to raise awareness of epilepsy. We hope people in Hampshire will really get behind Phil and Gregory by sponsoring them. The funds they raise will be vital in helping us to support the 456,000 people with epilepsy in the UK.”
To sponsor Gregory, Phil and Epilepsy Action, please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/philpacker