People turned out in their droves for a fundraising event to cover medical bills for a promising young artist whose summer visit home from Britain was cut short by a devastating crash.

Zhamir Denbrook-Pitt turned 18 in hospital after sustaining a serious spinal injury on July 26 when he crashed his bike on a corner at Southside, St David’s on his way home from cricket trials.

Heartened by his recovery, Zhamir’s relatives were equally touched early on Saturday by the crowd that gathered outside Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club to pitch in for the fundraiser towards their £210,000 goal.

“This outpouring today is amazing — this is Bermuda at its best,” Kim Pitt, one of Zhamir’s grandmothers, said.

The family fun “walk, run and roll” from the club in Hamilton Parish to St George’s Cricket Club had 156 people sign up, paying entry fees that by midday on Saturday had helped to bring the fundraiser to more than £50,000.

Ms Pitt said Zhamir, who was initially thought could be paralysed after shattering vertebrae in his neck, had shown striking resilience.

“I’m pretty confident he has something in the making,” she said.

Zhamir’s parents, Justin Denbrook and Sierra Pitt, are by his side at Croydon University Hospital in England.

A student at Croydon College in South London, Zhamir recently earned a level one certificate in music technology.

The crash came just days after he took his talent to the stage for the first time as a rapper at a Shelly Bay community fun day.

He underwent treatment at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Centre in Massachusetts before getting airlifted to Britain for more treatment.

Communities in England as well as back home have rallied to help his family with medical costs.

At Bailey’s Bay, nearly 200 people showed up early on Saturday, preparing to walk or bicycle to the East End for the cause.

Among them was the Reverend Gilbert Hayward, of the St John African Methodist Episcopal Church at Bailey’s Bay.

“What a tremendous showing of love and support,” he said.

Mr Hayward told Zhamir’s family: “We want you to know you have our support, you have our love, and we are here for you.

“Zhamir is going to be well. You have got to have faith.”

Arlene Simmons, mother to Mr Denbrook, said: “Zhamir is doing really well. He’s fighting. They had him doing a lot of physiotherapy and he is adapting to it well.

“He has a good outlook — it was difficult to start off with, but he has accepted where he is. He is healing well, and working to get himself back.”

Ms Simmons added: “The prognosis was grim.”

Doctors initially told the family Zhamir was likely to need the support of breathing equipment for the rest of his life.

However, she said, his trachea tube had been removed the week before, along with a feeding tube.

“He is defying the odds,” Ms Simmons said. “It’s nothing short of a miracle.”

The Health Insurance Plan coverage meets 60 per cent of the Lahey Clinic’s costs, leaving the family to cover the remainder.

The Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association stepped in to help Zhamir’s family to fly him off the island for medical care, leaving a bill to be repaid, and airlifting him to Britain cost the family $77,000.

Ms Simmons said the family would keep fundraising “as long as we need to”.

People all over Bermuda had pitched in, using the hashtag #zhamirstrong.

“We’ve had such an outpouring from the local community, it’s been literally overwhelming.

“I walk through town and I see people wearing #zhamirstrong bands. Bermuda and particularly the UK support has been nothing short of amazing.”

Zhamir’s progress has come at a cost, she added.

“Some days he will feel overwhelmed and he will cry, but I talk to him daily. He has had a lot of visitors from his school, which brings him joy.”

The family are hopeful that Zhamir will leave hospital soon and move to a rehabilitation centre.

“It will be a while,” Ms Simmons said.

In the meantime, the show of solidarity from the community has proved invaluable to Zhamir’s family.

“The support is tremendous,” Ms Simmons said. “We are truly blessed.”

For more pictures of the event click here.