THE family of Guardsman James Johnson have thanked the scores of well wishers who have sent messages to support their son.
As reported, James, 29, of Humberston, was nearly crushed to death when a wall collapsed on him in Afghanistan.
He is recovering in a specialist spinal unit in Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.
Friends visited him with copies of the Grimsby Telegraph front page story on his determined battle to walk again.
His mother Carole told how her son was "chuffed and amused" with the story and photographs in the paper.
She said he has been able to sit up and visit the hospital's shop to buy treats and drinks for himself.
The improvement in his condition came despite doctors warning him he only had a 40 per cent chance of being able to walk again due to the serious spinal injuries he sustained in the ordeal at a sangar in Helmand province in August.
As reported, one of his comrades raised the alarm and fellow guardsmen pulled all the rubble off James.
Carole said: "He is doing fine. He has been sitting up in a chair for an hour each day.
"He has been able to have a look around and see the view from the hospital, so he knows where he is.
"He has also been able to visit the shop run by the WRVS in the hospital and buy some nice things for himself."
She said the article in the Grimsby Telegraph had prompted well wishers to send cards of support to the family and to James in hospital.
Carole said: "We are very grateful for all the support we have received."
She added: "Everyday he gets the chance to get up and about for an hour. It is only an hour. It is the best he can do.
" It is going to be a long slow process."
But James, a former Humberston Comprehensive School pupil, said he was determined to be able to walk again and get back to Blundell Park to cheer on Grimsby Town FC.
His parents Carole and Edward have been by his side for most of the time since he was flown back home from Camp Bastion.
He was serving on his first tour in Afghanistan, which began in March.
He was due to return to the UK in September for training for his corporal exams.
Afghan Heroes fundraiser – page 8.