A Felixstowe three-year-old had to have part of his lung removed in a five-hour-long surgery after he contracted invasive Strep A.

Reuben Damant first became ill in November last year.

As he was running a high temperature and had a severe stomach ache, his parents, Charlton and Sam Damant, called 111.

While on the phone to the operator, Reuben began screaming in pain, so they rushed him to Ipswich Hospital's A&E.

In the waiting room he began to hallucinate, speaking to his older sister Isla, who wasn't with the family at the time.

East Anglian Daily Times: Reuben Damant, 3, first became ill in November last year.Reuben Damant, 3, first became ill in November last year. (Image: The Sick Children's Trust)

"There's no dressing it up, it was awful seeing Reuben that poorly," said Mr Damant.

"The more the doctors explained his symptoms, the more we realised it was Strep-A, especially with all the news stories about it."

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After being admitted to the ward, an x-ray of his lungs revealed fluid as well as necrotising pneumonia, which was killing his right lung tissue.

With suspicions that he had invasive Strep-A, Reuben was transferred to the intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

East Anglian Daily Times: During five hours of surgery, a litre of fluid and the top lobe of Reuben's right lung were removed.During five hours of surgery, a litre of fluid and the top lobe of Reuben's right lung were removed. (Image: The Sick Children's Trust)

During five hours of surgery, a litre of fluid and the top lobe of his right lung were removed.

While recovering 90 minutes away from his Felixstowe home, Reuben's mum and dad were supported by The Sick Children's Trust with a free place to stay nearby.

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Now, Mr Damant will be taking to the skies on Sunday, June 4, in a 15,000ft skydive to fundraise for the charity.

"I don't know what we would have done without The Sick Children's Trust," said Mr Damant.

East Anglian Daily Times: With another 800ml of fluid removed from Reuben's chest after the surgery, he is now recovering well at home with his family.With another 800ml of fluid removed from Reuben's chest after the surgery, he is now recovering well at home with his family. (Image: The Sick Children's Trust)

"We always planned to raise money and give back to this amazing charity to thank them for supporting us through this difficult time."

With another 800ml of fluid removed from Reuben's chest after the surgery, he is now recovering well at home with his family.