Lisa Potts - providing inspiration to the Hinckley Business Association
Lisa Potts is a former nursery teacher. She was injured in July 1996 while protecting children in her St Luke's Primary School class in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, from a machete attack by a man with severe paranoid schizophrenia.
Her arm was almost severed in the attack 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, Queen Elizabeth II presented Lisa with The George Medal for saving the children's lives despite her being injured. Her attacker, Horrett Campbell, was sent to a secure mental hospital indefinitely, and remains there more than a decade after the crimes.
She suffered severe scarring, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and was awarded £68,000 compensation more than four years after the attack.
Lisa 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.
On 11 April 2006, she lent her medal to the people of her home city for display in the Mayor's Parlour.
Lisa published her story as an autobiography entitled Behind the Smile in 1998. The foreword was written by Cherie Blair.
Lisa has been speaking at more and more events up and down the UK. Her speech talks us through what happened in 1996 and how she overcame the ordeal.
An Inspirational and motivational speaker
In September 2008 Lisa will receive an honorary degree from Wolverhampton for her services to children in Wolverhampton.
She has also had three books published one being 'Behind the smile' the story of the event what happened. A children’s 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.
