BANDS rallied around to provide a helping hand to the family of a Darwen footballer who was left in a coma after a quad biking accident.

Four top acts rocked Darwen Library Theatre in a homecoming gig for Mason Ralph, the 20-year-old left seriously injured after a smash in Crete.

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The Soul Convicts, Sky Valley Mistress, October Skies and Cat Perrin all gave their services for the popular night.

And the party continued into the early hours with O’Garrs hosting an after-show party for ticket holders.

Mason’s father Simon, who attended the gig, said: “It went really well and there was quite a good turnout. The bands who performed there were really good.”

The organisers have paid tribute to members of all the bands and staff at the theatre and O’Garrs for making the night into an ‘amazing’ spectacle for everyone involved. Family and friends were forced to pay out £26,000 to bring Mason back to the UK after he suffered a punctured lung, liver damage and suspected brain damage in the quad bike accident.

He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and received extensive treatment in Heraklion, before he was flown home.

Pals of the former Darwen Aldridge Community Academy sixth-former faced AFC Darwen in a fundraising game at the Anchor Ground last month.

Plans have been made for a family fun day, as part of the Darwen Jazz and Blues Festival weekend, at The Crown pub in Blackburn Road, featuring a raffle, barbecue and open mic session, from 1pm to 5pm.