Steve Brine is backing a new centre of inspiration designed to help young people facing adversity, set up by Phil Packer, who was injured serving in the Armed Forces.
BRIT will create a social investment legacy, build a centre of inspiration and reignite self-belief in Young People Facing Adversity. The organisation will achieve this by fusing together partner charities, professional counselling and psychotherapy support, the nation's inspirational figures and young people that have traversed their dark times, to educate, enthuse and empower them.
Phil said: "I was injured in the Armed Forces in February 2008 and suffered spinal cord damage. Since then have been fortunate to regain some mobility and turn my life around.
"Initially I turned my attention to supporting our wounded and in 2009 raised £1.3million for Help for Heroes by rowing the channel, walking the London Marathon in 14 days & climbing El Capitan."
Following awards at The Pride of Britain and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Phil was approached by a number of charities for young people and asked to support them. He then learned of a wider group of people, who also face adversity and struggle to move forward, so turned his attention to young people. One in seventeen of our young people across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland face adversity through disability, deprivation, medical conditions, injury or by giving their time to others as carers.
He continued: "The Centre will cost £15million and rather than ask the public for funding (competing with charities) I am asking 2000 businesses to Pledge either £10,000 or £5,000 and build a Centre together. It is an achievable amount of money for larger organisations and they are also able to support other charities. This is an innovative and visionary approach and charities understand I am a conduit; I have over 30 Charity CEOs as Advisory Partners."
Steve added: "Phil has asked every MP in the country to display their support for BRIT, and I am more than happy to do so. I know he is about to embark on a media campaign and I wish him all the very best in this wonderful, exciting project."
Pictured; Phil Packer has the wholehearted backing of the Prime Minister, David Cameron
More information...
Check out the website at www.britishinspirationtrust.org.uk