The sister of a Forres man who suffered a devastating accident while mountain biking in France is desperately trying to get him back to the UK on a private flight.
Arran Maclean, a 27-year-old self-employed mechanic, was holidaying in the French resort of Morzine where the Mountain Bike World Championships were held last week.
He was there with six friends to watch the event, but the day before it started, Arran fell off his mountain bike and broke his femur, hip and back.
Arran lives with his family at Half Davoch, six miles south of Forres and his sister Fiona has started a fundraising campaign to get her brother back to the UK. She has raised more than £5000 of the £8000 target, but says any small donation or share would be greatly appreciated.
Big sister steps in to help
She said: “Anyone who knows Arran will know how kind and helpful he is to everyone. Cheeky but always going the extra mile to help everyone who needs it. Now it’s my turn to try and raise some money so he doesn’t have the extra worry.
“He’ll be mortified when he sees this but that’s what sisters are for! He’s stuck out there on his own for four or more weeks, so I have decided to start a fundraising page to get enough money for a private flight home due to not being able to sit or travel in a car. There are also excess hospital fees and I don’t want him having to worry about money while being self employed and being off work for several months.
Fiona explained: “Arran was airlifted to Leman hospital and had surgery for his femur which is broken in two places and his hip. Two days later it was discovered that Arran had broken his back too.
“The money will help pay for a private transfer home when he is fit for travel and for him not to worry about expenses. We’re just waiting on doctors deciding when he can leave after accessing his medical notes.
She added: “We are so grateful to everyone who has donated so far and for sharing our GoFundMe page.”
Fiona’s fundraising page can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-get-arran-home