A MINI-FESTIVAL is being organised to raise cash for the friends and family who forked out £26,000 to fly home a Darwen footballer left in a coma following a quad biking accident in Greece.

Mason Ralph, suffered a triple fracture of the neck, a punctured lung, liver damage and possible brain damage in the Malia crash on the island of Crete.

He returned to the UK earlier this month and has now been released from hospital.

Doctors say he will make a full physical recovery but it may take as long as a year before he returns to peak fitness.

Now friends of the Darwen youngster are organising a range of fundraising events to pay back all the people who donated money to get him home.

The biggest fundraiser to date will be Mason Fest at Darwen Library Theatre on Friday, September 4.

The special homecoming gig will feature performances from The Soul Convicts, Sky Valley Mistress, October Skies and Cat Perrin and will continue with an after-show party.

Dad Simon, said Mason left hospital a few days ago and is now being cared for by his mother, he said: “It’s unbelievable, it’s said he will make a full recovery but he just needs to build his strength up now.

“Friends of Mason are putting on these events, I think they’ve raised £4,000 so far.”

He said he would be attending Mason Fest to show his support for his son and also all the people who have given up their time to organise the events.

He also plans to attend another fundraiser on Sunday, a football match at Feniscowles.

Mason, 20, is a former Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Sixth Form pupil who was tipped to join Chorley’s Under 21s.

He was not wearing a helmet when the accident happened on July 3 during a holiday with five friends.

He was treated at the Venizelio General Hospital in Heraklion before being flown home following the fundraising appeal.

Tickets for Mason Fest cost £6 and are available from Darwen Library Theatre.