Telford schoolboy Matthew Cooper hoping to return home after a year of cancer treatment in Birmingham Children's Hospital

Matthew Cooper, 11, has been cared for at Birmingham Children's Hospital since August 2015, after he was diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer.

After more than a year in hospital Matthew, from Telford, has finished his chemotherapy and will be able to return home once renovations to his house are complete.

Over the past year, Wrockwardine Wood Junior School and the wider community have managed to raise £50,510 towards renovating Matthew's Trench home for when he is well enough to be discharged from hospital.

Fundraising has included a charity auction, charity donations, marathon running, the sale of a birthday cake, and thousands being donated by businesses.

The school's headteacher Julie Henry said she was still amazed at how the community had rallied around Matthew and that money was still coming in towards the fund.

She said: "Matt's finished his chemotherapy now and just has a few weeks left in hospital to recover from the effects of that."

She said Matthew's family are trying to work together to find a school that will be able to meet his needs when he returns to Telford.

He attended Wrockwardine Wood Junior School, but had to miss his last year due to ill health.

However Matthew did attend a special assembly for the outgoing year six pupils in July.

Pupils of all ages came together to sing, share memories and laughs at the school leavers' assembly dedicated to Matthew.

Parents Leigh and Sue sat in the audience while year six pupils spoke about their happiest memories from Matthew's time at the school.

Matthew, who sat in the front row with fellow pupils, also shared some music he created using state-of-the-art techniques involving an Apple computer and an Xbox 360 Kinect camera.

His father Leigh said they have been left "overwhelmed" by the support they have received from local people.

Mr Cooper said: "I think being at home will make a real difference to him.

"At the moment he has a number of friends who come and see him when they can but it will be a lot better for him at home when his friends can come to see him more because I know that is what Matthew looks forward to.

"The response from people has been unbelievable.

"We're really overwhelmed because we didn't expect anything at all really."

Matthew was left paralysed after suffering strokes due to blood pressure issues after surgery.

The brave youngster needs a wheelchair to move about.

The family were given planning permission to adapt their home earlier this year.

A number of volunteers have already put their names forward to help with the renovation.

This included architect Neil Pennell who unveiled plans to remodel the family's home back in April.

Changes to Matthew's home will include a wet room and bedroom, including a movable hoist attached to the ceiling to move Matthew from his bed to other areas of his house.

This will all have to be on the ground floor.

After hearing of his illness, friends started an appeal page on Facebook called 'Making a difference for Matthew' and a Go Fund Me page which can be found under the name "Bring Matt home fund".

Matthew's home still has to be renovated before he can move back and work has not started yet.

Any volunteers can contact the school on 01952 387880.