Lisa Potts

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 counsellor 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.

In September 2008 Lisa received an honorary degree from Wolverhampton for her services to children in Wolverhampton.

With a story both inspirational and motivational, Lisa has been speaking at events up and down the UK. She recalls the attack in 1996 and how she overcame the ordeal.

The author of three books,  'Behind the Smile' the story of what happened in 1996. A children's prayer book called 'Thank you God' and a book called 'Heroes for a Day', a collection of stories about people with amazing stories.

SPEAKING TOPICS – Overcoming Adversity, Bravery, Inspirational & Change

Testimonials

"Lisa was inspirational, everyone was most impressed & she spoke with feeling & without any notes.  It must be difficult for her every time she speaks, reliving her awful ordeal.  She was delightful" GFWI

“Lisa was brilliant. What an inspirational and lovely person she is. I could have listened to her for hours and she made a huge impact on me and many others.” Vodafone