The proud parents of a County Durham teenager left in a coma after attempting suicide said they were "absolutely amazed" to see him collect his A-level results just 14 months later.

George Rabbett-Smith’s parents David and Hilary returned to their home at Bowes, County Durham, on June 4, 2023, to find their son, then aged 17, had attempted to take his own life.

His parents performed CPR and he was airlifted to hospital, spending his 18th birthday in a coma last November.

(Image: Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

George is still facing considerable challenges on his road to recovery, needs specialist care and has difficulty communicating.

But today, (Thursday, August 15) he picked up his A-level results from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE) in Darlington, gaining two distinction-stars in Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Sport and a Certificate of Recognition in Sociology C-grade.

His mum, Hilary Rabbett, said: "We’re so proud of George for having achieved what he has. We are absolutely amazed, we wouldn’t have expected it, to be fair, at the end of his first year.

“It is another bit of hope for the future I think and we are really confident that George will make a recovery.

"He will never be quite as quick-witted as before but he has now got something to take to the future.

“All the support we have had from QE has been phenomenal and we are just so grateful and so proud.”

Although unable to attend classes for more than a year, staff at QE College still decided to enter the 18-year-old for his A-levels, applying to exam boards for him to be graded based on his extenuating circumstances. George grades are based on his Year 12 results.

George had been performing well at school and sat his mock exams shortly before his suicide attempt. He had been badly affected by the deaths of two of his friends – one in a car crash a few weeks earlier and another from a heart attack.

Hilary added: “The support the college has given and how keen they have been to stand by him is incredible.

George (centre) with parents Hilary (left) and David (right).George (centre) with parents Hilary (left) and David (right). (Image: FAMILY)

“In a world where joy is sometimes very limited, right now it’s very positive.

“No one knows the prognosis for George. He may be as he is today - that might be as good as he gets. On the other hand, he might make a full recovery.

“We all know he will never be as quick and sharp as he used to be. If it get gets to a point where he’s able to walk and talk and spend time with friends that’s a really good quality of life. We have to remain positive.”

Still recovering, George moved to a care facility in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, on June 24 this year.

He is still unable to speak, although he tries to form words and communicates mainly by muttering and blinking. 

George Rabbett-Smith.George Rabbett-Smith. (Image: FAMILY)

He spent several months at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough before moving to a specialist rehab hospital in Walkergate earlier this year. Soon after, he had to move to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle after contracting a chest infection, where he stayed until moving to his new home less than two months ago.

Hilary added: “He moved to a care facility in Evenwood about eight weeks ago. We went through a number of them which for some reason wouldn’t take him – it was either too noisy or they didn’t feel able to take him on.

“He’s able to breathe without any intervention and is coughing strongly - they thought he would never cough again back in October.

“He’s making progress, but it’s very slow. We don’t know what speech he is going to have, he’s making sounds and trying to form words.”

George had dreams of becoming a professional sportsman, or hoping to become an MMA fighter. He now watches fights and football games on the TV, making the occasional trip to support his local team, Evenwood Town FC.

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George's family launched the charity ‘I’m George’s Mate’ in his name last year, initially to give them a focus while George fought for his life in hospital. It now aims to educate young people about suicide and has a host of fundraising activities planned in the coming months.

If you are in need of support you can contact the following:

- Samaritans is available, day or night, 365 days of the year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

- If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258

- SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58