JUDO star Stephanie Inglis is said to be showing "small signs of improvement" as she fights for her life in Vietnam. 

The 27-year-old, who lives in Duloch, remains in a coma in hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a motorbike accident last week.

Stephanie, who went to Vietnam to teach English to underprivileged children, was being taxied by motorbike to the school in Ha Long when she was thrown off the bike after her skirt was caught in the wheel.

READ MORE: Commonwealth athlete Stephanie Inglis in coma after motorcycle accident in Vietnam

A friend of the Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Kirstene Feenan, has said that although she has shown signs of improvement, the next 48 hours “remain crucial” in her survival as she also fights an infection in her lungs.

Doctors treating Stephanie have said that her brain is showing small signs of recovery after she responded to some eye tests, but emphasised that she remains in a critical condition and any possible recovery will involve “significant rehabilitation and time”.

An online appeal to raise a quarter of a million pounds to help pay her medical costs was tonight standing at nearly £190,000 with donations from more than 5000 people and organisations.
The crowdfunding website GoFundMe, which is hosting the appeal, has itself donated £10,000, the same amount donated by former Motherwell FC director Les Hutchison. 

READ MORE: Commonwealth athlete Stephanie Inglis in coma after motorcycle accident in Vietnam

The Herald:
The fund was started by her fellow judoka Khalid Ghelan. 
Ghelan, who attended the same high school as Stephanie, wrote on the appeal that he was moved by the many inspirational messages from donors. 
He wrote: "I thank you all for the donations you have given to help her and I know Stephanie would be bright red with embarrassment if she could see the support she was receiving.

READ MORE: Commonwealth athlete Stephanie Inglis in coma after motorcycle accident in Vietnam
"The thought of her lying there fighting for her life whilst her parents are fighting for her treatment is heartbreaking to myself and many others who have messaged over the last day.

"I ask for your continued support in helping Stephanie, you are all helping to save a young woman's life."

You can donate to the appeal here