More than £30,000 has been raised to help fund possible treatments for a Highland League footballer who has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour.
Calum Riddell was diagnosed with the growth, known as a glioblastoma, while on honeymoon with his wife, Rebekah.
The 28-year-old Nairn County midfielder has been unable to work since May.
Last night, within just two weeks, a total of £30,780 had been raised on a Go Fund Me page.
It is hoped that treatments could be sought in this country or abroad.
Well wishers have posted donations and messages of love and support.
Mr Riddell had been experiencing dizziness at the start of the year but this progressed to the glazier having double vision at work, and no longer being able to drive.
It was first thought he was suffering from migraines, but Mr Riddell was eventually referred to Raigmore for an MRI.
Within five days he had the devastating news that it was a brain tumour.
A biopsy was performed just two weeks before the wedding, but the couple agreed that nothing was going to stop the most important day of their lives.
County committee member and director of football, Graeme Macleod, Mr Riddell’s lifelong friend, said the club will help in any way they can.
He said: “Calum is only two years younger than myself so we grew up playing football together, in the Nairn youth teams and in the Boy’s Brigade team when we were in primary school together.
“We later played for Nairn St Ninian in the junior league for many years when our current County manager, Ronnie Sharp, was in charge there.
“After eight seasons with St Ninian’s Ronnie signed Calum for County at the start of last season, he was delighted to come back in the summer of 2016 and get a chance with his home-town team.”
This week Mr Riddell will travel to Glasgow for a second opinion.
The future is uncertain but friends and family have opened a special fund to assist with the cost of possible treatments.
Fundraising activities are being planned by friends and family. These include a four-mile swim across the Moray Firth from Whiteness point to Rosemarkie, followed by a cycle back to Nairn. There will also be a fund-raising match at Station Park on Sunday October 8, between Nairn County and a Calum Riddell select. Donations can be made by logging on to
https://www.gofundme.com/calumriddellfund