A SCHOOL has joined the fundaising campaign to help one of its students learn to walk again.

Cory Peyton has been unable to walk since he damaged two vertebrae jumping into a pool on a holiday in June and his family need to raise £20,000 for a rehabilitation programme in Watford.

The PE department at St Mary’s Catholic High School in Astley – where Cory is a pupil – ran seven marathons in 24 hours to bring the school’s total to more than £1,000.

Head of PE Michael Challoner has also organised a raffle with an array of prizes including signed sports memorabilia, luxury hotel stays and restaurant vouchers.

Mr Challoner said: “Cory is just one of those kids that you can’t help but like.

“He wasn’t the best at every sport but the enthusiasm with which he would throw himself into any event was admirable, no matter where he came in the end.

“After the accident, I went to see him in hospital with another teacher and when we were leaving we just decided that we had to do something, anything to help him. He has so much hope.

“We organised a running event and the response we got was great. We had to run as far as we could in 24 hours and ended up covering the equivalent of seven marathons.

“Everyone came down and helped out, even the head teacher ran for half an hour. The pupils were able to watch us on a webcam stream on twitter and were constantly sending messages of support.”

Cory, aged 15 and from Keats Close in Atherton, was told he would never walk again but has persevered to regain movement in his toes and hands.

The raffle will be drawn at an auction organised by Cory’s family at Formby Hall in Atherton on February 28. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the school.