Shropshire Star

Matthew Cooper returns home for first time since 2015 to await visit by DIY SOS

A Telford boy who has been in hospital since August 2015 battling brain and spinal cancer has finally been released from hospital.

Published
Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS team. Inset: Matthew Cooper

And now 11-year-old Matthew Cooper can look forward to a visit from the team from DIY SOS.

Matthew has now been released to a temporary home, while his family await renovation work on their home in Trench.

The BBC makeover show will come to Telford in February to provide the renovation work it needs.

Wrockwardine Wood Junior School and the wider community has already managed to raise more than £52,000 towards renovating Matthew's home.

He has been cared for at Birmingham Children's Hospital since August last year after he was diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer.

After more than a year in hospital, Matthew has finished his chemotherapy and is now in a home, where he can continue his recovery.

Staff at the hospital created a guard of honour for him when he was released.

The money already raised for Matthew will now be used to pay for an intensive physiotherapy programme for him and other pieces of equipment that will help strengthen his limbs in the hope that one day he may be able to leave his wheelchair behind.

Julie Henry, headteacher of Wrockwardine Wood Junior School, who has helped lead the fundraising, said: "It is amazing news that DIY SOS are now involved. I really can't quite believe it has happened."

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".

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