A FEW months ago, seven-year-old Freddie Fletcher was in intensive care with swelling on his brain and a collapsed lung.

But after a remarkable recovery and the help of his pony Tommy, on Sunday he will become the youngest ever jockey to compete in the Isle of Wight Grand National for under-15s.

The youngster, who gets up at 5.30 every morning to practice before school, will be riding to raise money for Oxford Children's Hospital.

His mum Hannah Fletcher, from Steventon, said the family were 'incredibly proud' of Freddie and grateful to the hospital.

She said: "He's going to be the youngest ever jockey in the Isle of Wight Grand National. He's only seven and its an under-15 race.

"We are so proud of him. He's been up every morning training with Tommy and some times in the evening again after school.

"It's been a difficult time for him but Tommy was the one thing that really kept him going - Freddie loves all things equestrian and has a dream of becoming a jockey."

Freddie began riding in February 2015 after his younger sister Katie started having pony riding lessons.

Once he had a go for the first time he has never looked back and, after meeting his idols AP McCoy and Leighton Aspell, is now being trained by former international eventer Mark Smith.

But in October last year Freddie was rushed to the John Radcliffe Hospital after he reported feeling unwell.

A serious infection he had picked up meant he was able to breath in but not out - resulting in suffocation and his lung collapsing.

After a week being intubated and on medication doctors noticed Freddie behaving strangely and discovered a swelling on the brain - rushing him to intensive care.

The hospital's staff nursed him back to health and after a short stint on the Bellhouse-Drayson he was discharged at the end of October.

Following a brief period back in hospital over Christmas he has now made a full recovery ahead of Sunday's race.

Freddie's ride for glory on Sunday will raise money for Oxford Children's Hospital to say thank you to its staff and it has already raised more than £500.

Mrs Fletcher, 31, said: "They were absolutely fantastic with all the family, my daughter Katie was with us and the play specialists were brilliant with her.

"We were there until 2pm on Christmas Eve and she even got a little stocking as well as Freddie.

"Looking back on it I'm not sure how we got through it but we had so much support from the hospital and our family and friends in Steventon."

She added: "Hopefully we won't need to go back but we have been back since and he loves going to see the play specialists - it's just such a wonderful place."

To donate to Freddie's cause go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Freddie-Fletcher.