A NINE-year-old boy from Cofton Hackett, who is currently fighting leukaemia, has received two top-of-the-range bikes for him and his brother, thanks to generous fundraising.

Six months after doctors questioned whether he would ever recover from a three-day coma, Oliver Portman is more than halfway through his intensive chemotherapy and has regained his balance enough to try out his new toy with his younger sibling Lewis.

The bikes were funded by donations to a member of staff at the boys’ old swimming club, Paul Felton, who completed a 100km charity cycle ride through the hilly Cotswolds in May.

The challenge raised £2,500 – more than double Paul’s fundraising goal.

Paul said: “The ride went really well and Oli and his family came to watch, which was great. We all had a picnic afterwards.”

Oli now faces another 13 sessions of intensive therapy, before undergoing two years of maintenance treatment.

Mum Claire said: “Oli’s doing really well and he’s loved cycling up and down the garden. He’s gone from strength to strength.

“He’s still not back in mainstream school but is going in socially to see his friends.”

She added: “Go Outdoors in Kidderminster did an unveiling ceremony when we went to pick up the bikes which was really exciting for the boys.

“It was lovely for Paul to include Lewis in this too as it was a special treat for him as well as Oli.”