Name: Phil Broeders

From: Wallasey

How long have you been collecting? 1 month

How many pins do you own? 15

I was hit with an ear infection during the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Unable to travel back home to see my GP (and without the time to find a doctor by our hotel) I came across the medical facility next to the Press Centre in the Olympic Park.

The team there were really friendly and helpful. They were all volunteers but had not had the best Games from their point of view (having to be on call all the time, they rarely got to leave the surgery, let alone see any of the Games action). We had a great chat while waiting for the doctor and learned about how they'd all become volunteers (all were ex or current nurses).

They pretty much saved my Games as I was in a bad way before the treatment and as I was leaving we agreed a "pin for pain" swap where I rewarded them with a pin each for their time and trouble in looking after me. I only had 3 pins on me so had to run after a colleague to get enough to go around but in terms of a swap I definitely got the best of the deal!

A great memory of some great people.