"Give your mum a smile, Rich" were the words which prompted Bali bike crash victim Richard Plummer to grin for the first time since the accident which had left him in a coma.

His father, Eric Plummer from Loose, spoke of his son's slow but steady progress in Maidstone Hospital, as the appeal to repay the £80,000 loan to transport him back from Indonesia reached around £40,000.

Mr Plummer said his 32-year-old son had now opened his eyes, and there were very small signs of improvement.

"I said to him "Give your mum a smile, Rich" and he definitely smiled," he said. "He is now out of the coma, and he is showing signs of recognition. We have fought all this way. He is a determined lad."

Audio: Eric Plummer

Uninsured Richard was flown back to the UK for treatment at Maidstone Hospital at the beginning of the month after a bike accident in Bali.

His parents, Eric and June Plummer, appealed for help in raising the money to bring him back and were loaned it, but must pay it back plus interest within three months.

Among the many fundraising events was a bike ride by some of Richard's friends and former workmates.

Jamie Kitchin, James Cade, George Edwardes and John Boxshall, all from Edwardes Brothers electrical wholesaler in Park Wood, Maidstone, where Richard used to work, were joined by Joe Allen, a soldier from Maidstone for a 55-mile bike ride to Brighton on Saturday, August 6.

Mr Kitchin, who was friends with Richard at Loose Infants and Junior schools, and then worked with him at Edwardes Brothers, said of the ride: "It got pretty painful around the halfway mark when you realise there’s still a long way to go."

They raised £3,500 for Richard's Appeal, the total for which is now just over £32,000.

More fundraising efforts are planned for the future including an all-day music and art event on Sunday, organised by some of Richard's friends and his nephew Sam Walker.

There will be an open mic and DJ event at Kymera in Market Buildings between noon and 4pm, and an auction and raffle at the Art Lounge opposite. In the evening from 7.30pm there will be live music from bands including Delayed Experience and Eskimo at the Style & Winch in Union Street.