Street attack victim Sam Eastwell fulfilled a dream and spent the morning at kmfm radio studios in Cliftonville.

The 17-year-old had been promised the chance to say a personal thank you on air to the hundreds of well-wishers across Thanet who have supported the family through the weeks that he fought for life in a London hospital.

Sam and his parents Sharon and Stuart, together with brother Daryl, 18, joined breakfast show presenter Johnny Lewis, who played a selection of tracks chosen by the teenager.

These included I Swear by All 4 One; End of the Road by Boyz II Men; Mariah Carey’s Fantasy, his parents wedding song; Caught Up by Usher, and there was a special request by Sharon.

She said: “When we were driving up and down to London as Sam was gravely ill but still holding on to life, one song we heard was Hero by Mariah Carey. It summed up how we felt about him.”

Clearly moved at hearing the song in the studio, she added: “He’s our hero.”

It is an emotion echoed by dozens of callers to the radio station and the Isle of Thanet Extra in the weeks we have reported on Sam’s plight and his remarkable recovery.

Sam said: “I am baffled by it all and I can’t believe it. People stop us in the street and say they are rooting for me. All the students at Clarendon House have signed a huge card for me which is lovely; I have had so many callers at home wishing me well. It is amazing, astonishing and fantastic.”

The response flooded in during the broadcast with offers of free self-defence fitness lessons, a VIP day out for the family to Margate Football Club from director Colin Paige, who has also offered them the Hartsdown stadium social club for a huge celebration party; and a family night out to see the show Sweeney Todd at the Theatre Royal, Margate. The Oddfellows Club at Ramsgate also called in to offer a function room for the party.

Stuart said: “There are so many decent and generous people out there who have helped us with donations and offers of support. It really restored our faith in human kindness when we were at rock bottom after the attack on Sam.”

Sharon added: “I can’t thank the team at the Extra and kmfm enough for their backing throughout the six weeks; family, friends and work colleagues have been a tower of strength; and the people of Thanet are just amazing.”