Toddler beats the odds as he returns to nursery despite being told he would never talk or walk

A little boy who was predicted to never walk or talk is continuing to go from strength to strength as he returns back to nursery this September.

Little Jake Holland, three-years-old from Gateshead, has cystic fibrosis and global developmental delay which means he is reliant on a catalogue of medication and is fed through a tube into his stomach. He also needs lots of specialist care at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he regularly attends appointments.

Despite doctors' predictions that Jake would need lifelong round-the-clock care, Jake is ready to take on his second year of nursery and show the world what he's made of. Proud Mum Amanda says:

"Going into a new class and starting a new school year will be a very big step for Jake but we hope it will bring him on even more. Although we thought Jake would never speak, he is now attempting to put sentences together. And although we thought he would never walk he is now awaiting leg splints and starting to walk.

"We are so proud of our little man who has shown everyone just how strong and determined he is."

Throughout Jake's treatment, Amanda and Jake's brothers - David, 4, and nine-month-old Jermaine – have been supported by The Sick Children's Trust, which has provided the family with free-of-charge 'Home from Home' accommodation located at the hospital. Amanda continues:

"Crawford House has really supported our entire family throughout Jake's treatment. Even though we are now outpatients, we still pop in to say hello, and earlier this year we did need The Sick Children's Trust again. It's a massive support and helped us through some of the hardest times."

The Sick Children's Trust runs ten 'Homes from Home' across the UK that provide practical and emotional support to the families of sick children – last year, it help around 3,600 families. It costs £28 per night to provide a family with a room in one of the 'Homes from Home' so that a child can have their loved ones right by their side.

For further information on The Sick Children's Trust, please visit: www.sickchildrenstrust.org