THE mum of a teenage boy who damaged two vertebrae on a family holiday has spoken of her joy after he was discharged from hospital.

Cory Peyton has returned to his family home permanently for the first time since he was flown back from Portugal, fighting for his life and unable to move from the neck down in July.

The 15-year-old, of Keats Close in Atherton, has continued to stun doctors since he damaged his C5 and C6 vertebrae jumping into a swimming pool.

He was told he would never walk again but Cory has begun to recover movement in his arms, toes, hips and ankles and his family hope that raising £20,000 for further rehab will see these improvements continue.

His mum Michelle said: “It has been the hardest six months of our lives but finally Cory is home for good. He has had so many people come to visit already and they are still coming. It is nice to be getting back to normal.

“He is continuing to improve and I think being at home has spurred him on. We do his leg exercises with him and he can sit up by himself.

“He has never given up, he has worked so hard and we have been overwhelmed by the public support in helping us raise money to continue his rehab.

“Even complete strangers have been fundraising or sent us money in support.

“He starts rehab in Watford on February 10. We have raised £11,500 so far and we are hoping to raise the rest as we go along.”

Cory will benefit from specialist equipment that will help him to continue to regain control of his muscles.

The family hope to raise more money through an event at the Spinners Arms, on Bolton Road, this Saturday, January 18.

For more information about the event visit facebook.com/pages/Carry-On-Cory.