Stephanie Inglis suffered serious head injuries after being involved in a freak motorbike accident in Vietnam
An online fundraiser set up to help pay for lifesaving medical treatment for a Scottish Commonwealth Games judo medallist and charity patron has surpassed its £250,000 target.
The Help Save Stephanie Inglis online fundraising page has now raised over £280,000.
It was launched after Stephanie suffered serious head injuries from being involved in freak motorcycle accident in Vietnam last month where her skirt got caught up in one of the wheels.
Stephanie, from Inverness who won silver at the Glasgow 2014 games, has since been taken to hospital in Thailand and has undergone a number of successful operations. It is hoped she can be brought home this week on a special medical flight.
She is not only our charity patron but also a role model for judo, the young people she represents and the people of Scotland as a whole.
Family friend Khalid Gehlan, a former judo student of Stephanie’s father, launched the fundraiser after it was discovered Stephanie’s travel insurance had run out.
Alan Bell of the Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, of which Stephanie is a patron of, said the charity was astounded at how much has been raised but urged people to keep giving.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety are with Stephanie and her family at this time,” Alan told TFN. “She is not only our charity patron but also a role model for judo, the young people she represents and the people of Scotland as a whole.
“It is so typical of Stephanie that this tragic accident occurred while she was helping children in another country.
“Steph has always been a fighter, following in her judo black belt father, Robert's footsteps. She has become an international athlete, competing for Scotland and Great Britain all over the world, beating adversity, competing in Glasgow 2014 and winning a silver medal, fighting for her country and her dreams. And now she is fighting for her life.
“Steph would never ask for your help – but we do. Please visit the Go Fund Me pageand help bring Stephanie home safely."
Stephanie’s medical bills are reported to have already exceeded £110,000 and the medical flight back to Scotland could cost up to £120,000.
In a statement her family said: “Again the family wish to pass on their gratitude to everyone for their support with Stephanie’s fight, and recovery.”
