By Jessica NichollsLIFE for one East Anglian schoolboy is very different at the moment to that of his friends.Instead of spending his half term out and about, Scott Kerridge is in hospital recovering from a serious accident.

By Jessica Nicholls

LIFE for one East Anglian schoolboy is very different at the moment to that of his friends.

Instead of spending his half term out and about, Scott Kerridge is in hospital recovering from a serious accident.

The 12-year-old was involved in a collision with a van in Cross Street, Leiston, in January which left him with a broken pelvis, arms and broken leg in two places.

Scott, of Sylvester Road, Leiston, has spent the past five weeks in hospital and endured two six-hour operations on his right leg, which is now being held together with pins.

But he has not been forgotten by his friends at Leiston Middle School, who have all rallied to raise money for a special present for him.

Scott's dad William said he wanted to thank the youngsters and added: "They have been doing cake stalls and non-uniform days to raise money.

"The head master rang him to see what he wanted and they are getting him a TV and video combi and a PlayStation 2 which he has always wanted. They are still raising money now for him."

Mr Kerridge also wanted to thank the hospital staff and said: "The staff have been really friendly and helpful and lots of doctors have been to see him."

Scott has been in Ipswich Hospital for the past three weeks and before that spent two weeks at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where his operations were carried out.

Now Scott is recovering, his school friends are allowed to start visiting him and have been in a few at a time to see how he is doing.

The youngster is spending his days in the small hospital room with a Nintendo 64, but does have a timetable of physiotherapy that he has to stick to. As well as a session in the gym, Scott also has to do exercises in the afternoon.

Mr Kerridge said Scott cannot put any weight on his right foot and added: "He has to be really careful not to put any weight on his foot because the bones might not heal properly."

Scott cannot go home until he is able to put pressure on his foot and life at home will have to change.

Because he broke his arm between his elbow and his shoulder, he is unable to use crutches properly, so will have difficulty in getting up and downstairs at home.

Scott is also unable to go back to school until he is well enough and might not be able to go back until September, when he will start Leiston High School – but he has not escaped doing homework while in hospital.