FAMILY and friends of an eight-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer -- whose parents were told three times he would die as a baby -- have launched a £1,500 mission to improve his life.

Philip Riley weighed just over 2lb when he was born 14 weeks early to proud parents Andrea and Ken Riley, of Upton Road, Atherton.

The youngster's weight dropped to 1lb days later and he developed cerebral palsy after suffering severe brain damage brought on by a lack of oxygen.

But Philip returned home on Christmas day after a four-month stay in hospital. Mrs Riley, aged 36, said: "It was a worrying time for the family.

"The doctors told us that he would not live on three separate times but he did and battled back to come home.

"It was a really good Christmas when he did.

"He is a very happy little boy who is always laughing and he loves to impersonate people. "

Now friends and family of the youngster -- who attends Two Porches Special School in Atherton -- have joined forces to raise £1,500 needed to buy him a specially modified bed. Even Philip's cousin nine-year-old Elizabeth Koppens is preparing for a sponsored swim.

She will splash down at Tyldesley Swimming baths next month and hopes to raise around £250.

Elizabeth's mum Catherine Koppens, of Cherrington Drive, Tyldesley, told the Journal: "They are very close and she sees him every Sunday -- to play and take him out for walks.

"I am very proud of my daughter and confident she will complete the 30-length swim."

Mrs Riley added: "Philip loves music, playing with his toys and playing inside the family caravan. He cannot speak or walk and he is in a wheelchair but he understands a lot. He enjoys his life as best he can -- but the bed will make it better.

"The bed will help me as much as it will help him because he is outgrowing his other one."

A series of fund raising events -- including a coffee morning and a bingo evening -- is also planned to try and raise funds.