Sean Dolan raises almost £4k for James Cook Hospital after losing half his skull after freak football accident

A determined teacher says he can now “put the past behind him” after getting back to work one year on from a horrific accident.

Sean Dolan, from Billingham, had almost half his skull removed after he tripped and hit his head off a wall during a game of football.

The 26-year-old spent five days in a coma while doctors fought to save him after the freak accident caused a fractured skull and bleed on the brain.

But he vowed to fight back and went on to complete an Olympic-sized triathlon and raised a staggering £3,831.65 for Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital.

And in January, just a year after he had a titanium plate fitted to replace the missing skull, Sean secured a job teaching Year 5 pupils at Shotton Hall Primary School in Peterlee, and now says he can now look forward to the future.

“For the past 14 months people have said to me, ‘Everything happens for a reason’ or ‘It’s all part of a bigger plan’, but I never believed there was a happy ending to what I’ve been through.” Sean said.

“But I find it incredible that I have returned to teaching exactly one year to the day I was released from hospital. It almost seems too perfect and it has made me believe. I can finally say I am excited about the future, and I can put the past behind me.”

Sean Dolan had half his skull removed after suffering a bleed on the brain when he hit his head playing football

Sean spent weeks in intensive care before moving to rehabilitation where he received occupational and physiotherapy. He said raising funds for the hospital “was the least he could do” to thank those who saved his life.

He said: “Without the staff at James Cook Hospital I wouldn’t be here today. The surgeons saved me, and the nurses made my stay bearable, so I was glad to give a little back.”

A spokesperson for South Tees NHS Trust said: “Sean has raised such a fantastic amount which has been donated to our Neurosciences fund to help enhance patient care at James Cook.

“Donations like this help us provide the extras over and above what the NHS provides and we really appreciate all his efforts. Consultant neurosurgeon Mr Nitin Mukerji was delighted to receive this fantastic donation.

To find out more about fundraising for South Tees Hospitals Charity please visit http://bit.ly/1zLkn5x .