A FLINTSHIRE schoolboy, who suffered two fractures to the back of his skull, has raised £5,000 for the services that cared for him.

Cory Pygott, 14, from Mynydd Isa, will be walking 13 miles with his nine friends from Argoed to Wrexham Maelor Hospital in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance, Welsh Ambulance Service and the hospital’s children’s ward.

Just three weeks ago the Argoed High School pupil was at the park with his friends, when he came off a swing and was knocked unconscious after he banged his head on a metal bar.

Cory said: “It was severe to the point where if my friends and the north Welsh Ambulance Service hadn’t acted as quickly as they did, I’d be in a lot more serious condition. I was bleeding from my ears and was unconscious, they rang 999 and made sure I wasn’t choking on my tongue and put me in the recovery position.”

An ambulance and air ambulance were sent to assist Cory, it was then decided that due to Cory’s condition that another air ambulance with a consultant on-board was needed.

Despite initial fears that Cory would need to be flown to the Royal Stoke University Hospital or Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, he was stable enough to go straight to Wrexham Maelor Hospital in a road ambulance.

He added: “Thankfully, I've been discharged from hospital already and I’m recovering well considering having two fractures in my skull.”

Cory will be joined by his nine friends, Yazmin Richardson, Ieuan Alan, Ben Worrall, Clément Vick, James Brownbill, Isaac Godwin, Jac Jones, Lucca Jones and JJ Griffiths.

The family is extremely grateful to his schoolfriends for helping save Cory’s life, his friend Yazmin stopped him choking by getting his tongue out of the back of his throat, and his friend Clément put him into the recovery position.

James and Ieuan ran to Cory’s house in the village where his sister Lucy, 16, was at home. Lucy got help from the family’s friend Des, who took them all back up to Cory.

Yasmin and Clément also went to get help, whilst Ben, 13, stayed with Cory, whilst on the phone to the emergency services.

Cory’s dad, Stephen, said: “I want the children to get the recognition they deserve. They really stepped up at such a young age. When help arrived the children then got our friend, Des, to unscrew the gate hinges to Argoed Park, so the ambulance could gain entry. They also got cars moved and waited at the end of the road so the ambulance wouldn’t get lost.

“The ambulance and paramedics were by Cory’s side within 10 minutes, closely followed by the first air ambulance and then the second air ambulance arrived, which had a consultant onboard who would’ve been able to put Cory into an induced coma. Thankfully, Cory showed signs of improvement and went to Wrexham Maelor Hospital in a normal ambulance.

“The Wales Air Ambulance is something you know is there and it’s a vital thing to have but after Cory’s accident we appreciate the air ambulance more than ever.”

Remarkably Cory was home within 48 hours of his accident and just 48 hours later he set up his Go Fund Me page because ‘he wants to give back to the ones who helped him’.

Debra Sima, Community fundraiser for the Wales Air Ambulance, added: “It is really touching to hear that someone who recently needed the help of the charity’s medics, are fundraising to give something back to the people who cared for him. Cory and his friends have already raised an amazing £5,000 for three important causes, good luck to you all and thank you for fundraising for the Wales Air Ambulance. We wish Cory well in his recovery.”

The walk will take place on 30 August, which will be followed by a raffle and cake stall at Argoed sports and Social Club. You can donate online at https://uk.gofundme.com/f/2f51rzk8fc

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com.

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.