IT will be a £100,000 thank you to those who saved the life of their son.

A year ago the lives of the Barrow family were turned upside down when 11 -year-old Felix was hit by a car just yards from his Hampshire home.

Along with multiple injuries Felix suffered a severe brain injury and was kept in a coma for several weeks while doctors tried to assess the extent of the damage.

Since then Felix has been on the long road to recovery. After initially being told he may never walk again Felix has taken his first steps and as previously reported by the Chronicle has been allowed to return to his Swanmore home.

Now aged 12, Felix has returned to school as he continues to amaze doctors with his progress.

He has been helped by the community who have rallied to raise almost £100,000 towards the Fit for Felix fund which was set up to raise cash for those who helped save Felix's life and for his on going care.

Supporters are within touching distance of the fundraising milestone with more money-spinners in the pipeline to reach the amount.

It comes as Felix enjoyed his first week at Portchester Community school which offers extensive support and facilities for youngsters who have extra needs and is fully wheelchair accessible.

His mum Vanessa said he was thoroughly enjoying his new school which offered facilities to suit Felix's needs.

His dad Stuart said the fundraising had also been a positive focus during Felix's recovery.

He said: "We wanted to repay the ambulance and PICU for saving his life basically. We just wanted to say thank you and now we are nearly up to 100,000."

Of the fund which has so far seen fundraisers including a party for Felix, a concert and sporting sponsored events, Vanessa added: "We have tried to offer events that offer value for money and get something out of it. The community have just been amazing in supporting us."

She said that although Felix was improving all the time there was still he was still on the road to recovery. "You just don’t know with a brain injury what will happen. But he is improving and getting better on his own and with the aftercare he is doing really well."

The next goal for Felix is "getting his voice back" so that everyone will know what "a cheeky chap he really is".

Fundraisers are taking on a sponsored hike next week and there is also a quiz night coming up and runners taking part in the Great South Run in aid of Fit for Felix which raises money for his aftercare along with cash for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Southampton General's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

For more information about the events visit: fitforfelix.com