An injured soldier who has been walking the London Marathon on crutches, two miles each day, has completed the course after 13 days.
Maj Phil Packer of the Royal Military Police, who lost the use of his legs in a rocket attack in Iraq, began the race with 35,000 others on 26 April. He finished the event at about 1230 BST on the Mall, where rower Sir Steve Redgrave presented him with his medal. Maj Packer, 36, hopes to raise £1m for soldiers’ charity Help For Heroes. After completing the course, Maj Packer said: “It feels bitter sweet – I heard the news yesterday that four members of the armed forces were killed in Afghanistan, so I’m thinking about those families. “I would not be standing here but for the work of the doctors and nurses that have looked after me and the reason for doing this is to raise £1m for them. “It’s not about me – it’s about the people who are not walking with me.
“It’s very humbling, I’m just a soldier and I’m not used to all this.”