Army about to bring a smile to face of disabled bashing victim Liam | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Liam Wynyard is making good progress after being viciously beaten nearly two weeks ago.

Liam, who suffered a brain injury in a car crash nearly four years ago,

had gone to a cage-fighting event with his father Willie Wynyard as a treat.

Liam went to the toilet but never returned.

He was beaten and found lying in a pool of blood two blocks from where he and his father had become separated. He suffered two broken eye sockets.

In January 2007, the now 20-year-old suffered critical injuries after being thrown from a car in a crash north of Rotorua. Doctors told his family he wouldn't have any quality of life and advised them to turn off Liam's life support. But his family refused.

"We told them 'you don't know Liam. There is so much to that boy, it will shock you'," his mother Huia Baker said.

Liam was in a coma for three months before his long road to recovery started. Although he can walk, he has the mental capacity of a child and his brain is only working at between 30 to 50 per cent of what it was.

Ms Baker said Liam was doing well following the recent attack and she was taking him to an optometrist in Hamilton today for an eye checkup to see if the muscles were healing.

The Rotorua branch of the Army was so moved by Liam's ordeal, it is to donate T-shirts, drink bottles, caps, pens and "other bits of pieces" to Liam.

Staff Sergeant Aaron Morrison said he was moved by what he had read about Liam in The Daily Post last Saturday.

"That shouldn't be happening to anyone in our community. I would like to wish him a speedy recovery," Mr Morrison said.

Rotorua's Rita Hokai said she didn't have much but she was so touched by Liam's ordeal that she wanted to donate $20.

"They deserve something good to happen to them after all this."

Ms Baker said the donations from the Army and Ms Hokai were really nice.

"He'll love the Army gear. He will feel special," Ms Baker said.

Meanwhile, Detective Scott Thompson of the Rotorua CIB said police inquiries were continuing and one person had come forward as a result of the story in The Daily Post but police were still to follow up with that person.

"We are still looking for anyone else who can assist."

The attack happened some time between 11.30pm and 12.20am on Saturday, August 28.

If you can help find the attackers, ring police on (07) 348 0099 or (0800) TIPOFF.