Fall victim is making progress

Russell Dawes was installing an air conditioning system when he fell from a roof last month.

The 47-year-old father-of-three fractured his skull and suffered brain haemorrages as a result of the accident.

He has been taken out of his coma but remains in intensive care.

Doctors at the hospital in Nicossia will make a full assessment of Mr Dawes’ condition before deciding what the next course of treatment should be.

His wife Angela is being encouraged to keep talking to him.

His mother-in-law, Irene Ball, said that things were starting to look up.

Mrs Ball, of St David’s Road North, said: “It is good they are starting to bring Russell out of his comatose state but this is just one small step and we are under no illusion that there is a long way to go.

“But Angela and his family visit him every day and I was so pleased to hear that he has moved his feet when Angela spoke to him.

“Over the next few days we should know more about what should happen next.”

She added: “It’s going to be a case of slow progress.

“He’s out of his coma but he’s still in intensive care.

“It’s very early days but with each day we should know more.”

Mr Dawes, known as Dawesy to his friends, had moved to Cyprus two years ago with his wife so they could live out their dream.

He has two daughters Leona, 20, and Kiena, 12, and a son Kynan, who is 17.

A well-known character in St Annes, he worked as an air conditioning engineer for James Mercer.

He was working on a villa in the holiday town of Penara when he fell.

A fundraising event to help support the family is now being organised and will be held on September 17 at St Annes Cricket Club.

Anyone who is interested in helping out for the even can call Irene on (01253) 728452.