A north-east rugby team has raised more than £23,000 to aid a team mate who lost his legs after being hit by a police van last month.
Daniel Gallagher, 22, was struck by the vehicle, which was responding to an emergency call, on the A841 on the Isle of Arran.
Mr Gallagher, from Peterhead, had been on the island playing in a seven-a-side tournament with team mates from Peterhead RFC.
On Sunday more than 20 of Mr Gallagher’s team mates braved the 6C North Sea waters wearing mankinis – made famous by Sacha Baron Cohen in the film Borat – to raise money.
Hundreds of members of the public lined the shore to support the players who, as well as the sponsored swim across Peterhead’s Lido, organised other events including a barbecue, stocks, a marquee and bouncy castle.
The players raised £18,000 from the swim, which will be given to Mr Gallagher, who is still in hospital in Glasgow, and his family to help “in the long-term”. Other donations have seen the total climb by more than £5000.
PRFC assistant coach Mike Reeves said: "We raised around £18,000 and with other donations we know are coming in it will be close to £23,500.
"We dived into the water and it was bad. We had one cramp and a few other guys had problems, but there's nothing you can do except put up your hand to be rescued.
"It was brilliant. When we were walking up to the water it was like a sea of people covering the beach. It was mental. There was at least a 1000 people there. The noise they were making when we were coming out of the water was unbelievable.
"We spent five hours burger flipping non-stop beforehand. The guys had their heads in the stocks, there was face painting and raffles.
“We are trying to raise as much as we possibly can to help Daniel’s family while they are in Glasgow with him and praying that he gets better soon. We also hope that we can raise enough to focus on long-term goals to help for when he makes a full recovery and comes home, as there will be a lot his family will need to adjust for him in their home.
“Every penny we can get counts and we appreciate everybody’s support. Local businesses and people in the town have really come together to show their support and it’s great that they are all willing to help in any way that they can. We'd like to thank everyone that was involved.”
Last week Strathclyde Police confirmed that the investigation into the incident was still ongoing. The force said it did not comment on the deployment of staff and would not confirm if the officer behind the wheel of the van involved had returned to work since the incident.
Donations to the fund can be made online.
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