A terrifying playground accident has left a six year-old boy with eight metal rods in his skull and needing to wear a special brace.

Jake Boast, from Long Stratton, dislodged two of the vertebrae in his neck when he fell from some playground equipment at school.

Jake's father Dan Boast, 31, said when he found out his son required surgery his 'stomach turned': 'It was horrible, I started to lose it a little bit at work. You start running through all the what ifs, all the different possibilities.

'I didn't realise how much I loved my son until he was almost taken away.'

Chloe Moule, Jake's mum, described the two weeks since the accident as 'tramatic' but one that had been made far more bearable by the support the family have received from friends, NHS staff and Jake's boxing club in Long Stratton.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of Long Stratton Boxing Club who have rallied round to wish Jake Boast a swift recovery from a broken neck. Picture: Long Stratton Boxing ClubMembers of Long Stratton Boxing Club who have rallied round to wish Jake Boast a swift recovery from a broken neck. Picture: Long Stratton Boxing Club (Image: Archant)

Long Stratton Boxing Club, after learning about the accident, rallied round to wish the six-year-old a speedy recovery with a big group picture and even managed to get professional boxers Ricky Hatton and Anthony Crolla to wish the youngster well.

In a video message sent to young boxer, former world boxing champion Mr Hatton, said: 'Hiya Jake, I believe you've had a bit of bad luck with your neck, but show a bit of fighting character like you did in the ring and you'll soon be up and back on your feet.'

said the support the family had received since the accident had been 'amazing', adding: 'My wife broke down in tears [when she saw the video] and I couldn't believe it.

'Jake doesn't know any of the professional fighters, so it hasn't really sunk in but he couldn't believe that someone who has been on TV knew his name, he didn't think anyone at the club knew his name.

Eastern Daily Press: Jake Boast at Long Stratton Boxing Cub before his accident. Picture: The Boast FamilyJake Boast at Long Stratton Boxing Cub before his accident. Picture: The Boast Family (Image: Archant)

'I would like to personally thank the members of Long Stratton Boxing Club for their support in this difficult time and it just shows that the club is not solely about the sport.'

Both Jake's parent's also expressed their thanks to Adam Gigli, a world renowned cutman and the owner of Long Stratton Boxing Club who organised the messages.

Ms Moule sadi: 'Jake is getting frustrated by his situation and the well wishes which Adam Gigli has arranged from the boxing club and from these well known boxers has been truly amazing.'

A gofundme page (www.gofundme.com/68gmy2w) has also been set up in Jake's name to buy him a gift for when he recovers.