A BIRTHDAY celebration went horribly wrong for Phillip Luckner, who was violently beaten and left for dead.

Two days before his 19th birthday, Phillip, who lives in Bury, was savagely attacked in Prestwich while making his way home alone.

Two thugs kicked him repeatedly and a girl hit him across the head 15 times with a bottle in an unprovoked assault.

More than two years later Phillip is still struggling to come to terms with what happened, but he feels he has been given a chance to rebuild his life through a pioneering rehabilitation centre.

The Greater Manchester Brain Injury Vocational Centre at St James's House, Pendleton, was officially opened last week and it offers people with severe brain injuries the chance to get back to work.

It provides a range of services, from information technology to techniques for improving memory loss, to help young brain-injury victims regain social and financial independence.

Phillip is already a full-time student and is proving to be one of the star pupils. "It has really given me a ray of hope," said Phillip. "After the attack my whole life collapsed and there were times when I thought 'what is the point?' But the centre has really helped me to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Phillip's dream of becoming a chef was destroyed by the vicious attack. Instead he was fighting for survival at North Manchester General Hospital.

For nearly three days Phillip was in a coma and when he came round he was unable to speak, hear or talk.

With the support of his loving family and friends Phillip has made tremendous progress.

But the road to recovery has been a long hard battle.

Phillip suffered brain damage affecting his short-term memory, making it impossible to pursue his career as a chef.

"I tried working at a local restaurant for two weeks but I could not remember all the orders. It was then I realised I couldn't do the job I had always wanted."

It knocked his confidence and he suffered from depression.

"It was completely soul-destroying. I had little faith in myself and was very frustrated. I would go to the job centre and just walk straight back out as I didn't have a clue about what I was doing there. It was very scary." Hope came for Phillip when his father heard about a national charity, Rehab UK, that helps young people suffering from brain injuries get back to work.

Going to the centre has allowed Phillip to discover new opportunities.

"Becoming a chef and having my own restaurant were the only things I was interested in. Now I realise there are other options."

Phillip is considering various career possibilities, from counselling to property development.

Centre manager Mr Gerry Nelson says Phillip is a good example to others.

"He has made excellent progress through his courage and determination. What he suffered was appalling but he will go far."

He added: "There is a desperate need for training and guidance to help the thousands of young people regain some kind of normality in their lives."

Phillip says that it is a challenge but he is looking positively at his future.

"I am still scared of going out by myself and find it difficult to trust people now. But I feel there is hope.

"The centre will not only help me get back to work but will support me throughout my entire career. I am not alone now and the future is looking much brighter."

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