FRIENDS of an attack victim who has woken from a coma and is breathing on his own have launched an appeal to get him back on his feet financially.

Jens Wair, of Colchester, suffered a bleed on the brain after he was knocked unconscious during an incident in St John’s Street, Colchester.

Medics initially feared the self-employed window cleaner could have longterm brain damage, but he was brought out of the induced coma last week and spoke to friends and family. The full extent of his injuries are not known.

A group has been set up on website GoFundMe.

com called Get Jens Back on His Feet.

A spokesman said: “He is a self-employed window cleaner, so obviously won’t be able to work for some time and won’t be able to earn money.

“So we want to do as much as we can to help him on his road to recovery.

“He is our friend and we miss him dearly.”

The group has initially set a £1,000 target.

The friend added: “He’s started to wake from his coma now, and the prognosis looks better than expected, but there’s a long road ahead.

“Here’s our chance to make that journey a little less arduous for Jens.

“If you know Jens, you know he’d do it for you, and if you don’t, trust me, there’s no nicer guy on Earth and, of all the people, he deserves our help the most.”

Jens, who played cricket for Eight Ash Green and football for New Field FC, was celebrating his 30th birthday when he was knocked unconscious outside the Dirty Penguin bar, on April 11 at 2.40am.

To help Jens, go to gofundme.com/sqfzec

  • Mickey Borthwick, 23, of Lisle Road, Colchester, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

He entered no plea when he appeared at court and has been bailed to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Matthew Benge, 25, of Circular Road South, Colchester, has been charged with common assault relating to the same incident.