Speakers
Session
Lisa Potts is an inspirational speaker and George Medal holder, who is best known for her bravery when as a Nursery Teacher was severely injured protecting children at her school, from a machete attack by a man with severe paranoid schizophrenia. The attack in 1996, left Lisa’s arm almost severed and four children were injured. Lisa, who was 21 years old at the time, also suffered severe cuts to her head, back, and both arms.
In 1997 the Queen presented Lisa with The George Medal for saving the children's lives despite being severely injured herself. Her attacker, Horrett Campbell, was sent to a secure mental hospital indefinitely and remains there more than a decade after the crimes. Lisa suffered severe scarring, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and was awarded £68,000 compensation more than four years after the attack.
She subsequently worked as a counselor and in 2001 started a charity, Believe To Achieve, based in schools in Wolverhampton. The charity aims to encourage independence and enhance self-esteem in children.
She received an honorary degree from Wolverhampton in 1998 for her services to children.
Lisa Potts is an inspirational speaker and George Medal holder, who is best known for her bravery when as a Nursery Teacher was severely injured protecting children at her school, from a machete attack by a man with severe paranoid schizophrenia.
The attack in 1996, left Lisa’s arm almost severed and four children were injured. Lisa, who was 21 years old at the time, also suffered severe cuts to her head, back, and both arms.
In 1997 the Queen presented Lisa with The George Medal for saving the children's lives despite being severely injured herself. Her attacker, Horrett Campbell, was sent to a secure mental hospital indefinitely and remains there more than a decade after the crimes.
Lisa suffered severe scarring, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and was awarded £68,000 compensation more than four years after the attack.
She subsequently worked as a counselor and in 2001 started a charity, Believe To Achieve, based in schools in Wolverhampton. The charity aims to encourage independence and enhance self-esteem in children.
Lisa's autobiography, Behind the Smile, was published in 1998, with a foreword written by Cherie Blair.
She received an honorary degree from Wolverhampton in 1998 for her services to children.
She has also written books for children including a prayer book called 'Thank you God' and a book called 'Heroes for a day' which is a collection of stories about people who have had amazing stories.
In 2010 Potts trained as an Adult Nurse at Wolverhampton University and then went on to become a specialist Public Health Nurse.
Earlier in 2022 Lisa was made the first Freewoman of the City of Wolverhampton. On 24 July 2022, she participated in the Queen's Baton Relay marking the 2022 Commonwealth Games when it visited Wolverhampton.