TOM Bendall, who was close to death after a horrifying hit-run accident on the A48 while walking home from his local pub, may be able to spend Easter at home.
Tom has made great strides since being left for dead beside the road days after his 19th birthday in October, 1998.
The Alvington lad, a keen rugby player, was rushed to Frenchay Hospital with a broken neck, jaw and pelvis and severe head injuries.
Pauline Troughton, who has made Tom's case her charity of the year through Daily Diets Slimming Club sponsored events, said she had learned from Tom's mother Pam that he was making good progress at the Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre in Oxford and could be coming home for the first time since the accident at Easter.
Tom was transferred to Rivermead after spending three weeks in Frenchay followed by several months in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Tom's speech is limited but he is cheerful despite all he has been through, and with luck he may be able to move around with the aid of a stick soon.
•Pauline Troughton's latest venture in support of Tom is organising a sponsored brilliant red hair-dye for Janet Barnard of Lydney on Tuesday May 2.
If you want to sponsor Janet or make a contribution to Tom's cause, Pauline Troughton can be contacted on Dean (01594) 822692.