A DETERMINED young man who was left brain damaged as a child has been hailed for completing a challenge that will help others.

Loyd Wildridge, 22, from Great Sutton has raised more than £1,000 for Children Today charity following his inspirational effort.

Until the age of six, Loyd was in mainstream school and developing well. He then acquired an illness that resulted in him having brain damage.

He was put into a medically induced coma after suffering with seizures and was diagnosed with encephalitis, a rare but serious condition which causes inflammation to the brain.

Helen Wildridge, Loyd’s mum, said: “We thought we were going to lose him. We got called to the side of his hospital bed and told to say goodbye. It was horrendous.”

When Loyd came out of his induced coma, he was extremely disabled. He could no longer walk, talk, eat or sit up.

After being released from hospital six months later, Loyd began slowly recovering and learning the skills that he once knew.

Helen added: “I like to call him my little miracle. From what he was to what he is now and his caring nature for everybody. He just likes to help people off his own back."

Across the month of June, Loyd decided to walk 10k in 10 different towns to raise money for Children Today.

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Children Today aimed to raise £10,000 in June to help provide adapted equipment for disabled children and young adults to help them get regular exercise.

Loyd’s walks have taken place in the following 10 towns: New Brighton, Eastham, Port Sunlight, Chester, Birkenhead, Little Sutton, Carmarthen, Tenby, Liverpool and Ellesmere Port.

During his final walk in Ellesmere Port, which took place on Thursday, Loyd was joined by Cllr Peter Wheeler, Cllr Christine Warner, Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Lisa Denson and all of his friends and family.

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Helen said: “I’m extremely proud, I can’t even put it into words. The support from our friends and family as well is overwhelming.”

Loyd said: “I feel amazing. I am amazed and pleased for the charity.”

To donate to Loyd’s JustGiving page click here.

To enter a raffle for a signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shirt click here.