An urgent fundraising appeal is underway for an athlete left with a brain injury following a bike crash during a Perthshire triathlon.
Nathan Ford (36) was seriously hurt as he competed in the British Middle Distance Triathlon Championship in Aberfeldy at the weekend.
The professional sportsman based in South Wales was taking part in the swimming, cycling and running event on Sunday - which took place across Loch Tay, came through Aberfeldy and finished in Kenmore.
Following a cycling accident - which did not involve any other vehicles, athletes or spectators - Nathan was taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital where he is being treated for a brain injury and serious spinal trauma.
Since his accident, Nathan, who is from Swansea, has been in intensive care, unable to move or breathe independently.
His wife Catrin launched a gofundme.com appeal to ensure she and family members can be at the Welsh sportsman’s bedside in Dundee.
Donations to Nathan’s Go Fund Me online site have poured in and so far £71,500 had been given, way outstripping the initial goal of £10,000.
Catrin Ford’s appeal for Nathan has been shared over 4.6k times in two days.
Supporters from his home of Wales want to ensure his family can remain with him in Scotland, for as long as it takes.
They also want to ensure he will get every possible care option in the future to see him recover from potentially life-changing injuries.
The page’s summary of the situation told of regular triathlon racer Nathan’s plight.
It noted: “Some of you may have heard by now that Nathan has been involved in an accident whilst competing in a British Championship Triathlon in Aberfeldy, Scotland.
“As a result of this accident, Nathan is currently in intensive care in Scotland and has a long road ahead of him.
“Nathan was diagnosed with two life-threatening conditions, a brain injury and a spinal injury.
“It appears that his brain injury isn’t as severe as initially thought but his spinal injury is worse than we could have ever imagined.
“Currently Nathan is not able to breathe independently and is unable to move.
“We have set up this page to support myself, Nathan’s wife, and his family, to be close to Nathan in this critical time.
“We are 500 miles from home and hope to stay here until Nathan can be transferred closer to home.
“We are searching for any extra tools, support and services that can help us to help Nathan. There are resources to help him communicate with us that we feel are vital for his wellbeing at this time.
“Much further down the line, we are hoping rehabilitation can provide some quality of life for Nathan.
“It goes without saying that we are heartbroken at this time and any support that can help alleviate some of the financial worry will be hugely appreciated.
“Nathan is well known and loved by so many, and we all know how strong and independent he is, but this isn’t a race he can win alone.”
Before turning his hand to triathlon challenges, he was a professional swimmer for five years.
He is behind his own coaching business, Nathan Ford Triathlon.
The Aberfeldy Multi-Sports Festival Team, organisers of the event urged people to support the appeal: “The team at Aberfeldy Middle Distance Triathlon, Triathlon Scotland and British Triathlon are extremely saddened that an athlete sustained serious injuries as a result of a bike
crash.
“It’s a very difficult time for everyone involved and our thoughts and very best wishes go out to the athlete Nathan Ford and his family. There is a Go Fund Me page set up for Nathan at https://bit.ly/3sKiWGc
“Please show any support if you can. We continue to work together with the Triathlon Scotland and British Triathlon to understand the full nature of the incident and will publish full details when completed.”
