by Angela Cole

acole@thekmgroup.co.uk

"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 the 32-year-old has opened his eyes, and had shown other 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."

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 fundraising efforts will be 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, Maidstone, 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.

To donate visithttp://www.richardsappeal.co.uk/