The three year-old fell into a coma after a seven-hour operation to correct four different heart conditions he was born with.

But, despite the loss of his left leg, Matthew defied the odds and is now thriving at school - and loves his role as big brother to one year-old Richard.

Dad Mark said: "There's no stopping him now!"

The tot, who loves Bob the Builder, now needs just a fraction of the medication he was once given and has taken delivery of a standing frame.

"He has been fitted with a straight false leg that helps build the strength in his right leg - and regular assessments will decide when he can use a prosthetic with a knee joint.

"It's testament to the hospital and all their support how well he's doing now, it's just amazing," added Mark.

Since Matthew returned home, his family pledged to support the HeartLink campaign, which is based at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester where the toddler was treated.

They organised an auction - with the help of independent company Specialist Auctions - and received goodies including signed memorabilia from Derby County, Notts County, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. And they were given a signed Jamie Oliver apron and a set of Harry Potter books - that had been signed by author JK Rowling and even included two first editions in a presentation box.

That particular lot was sold at a Chelsea book fair and bought anonymously for £2,750 - which went towards their final total of £10,297.42 which, earlier this week, the family presented to HeartLink.

The cash will go into the charity's kitty to buy a £1.6m 4D scanner which can provide more cardiac information to help better communicate the heart's structure and function.