A TRANENT teen raised more than £1,500 in just four days to fund his dream of competing for Team GB.

Hamish Colgan, 19, is a gymnast and has been selected to represent the UK in the upcoming TeamGym European Championships, held in Lisbon, Portugal, next month.

Currently the TeamGym squad are not funded by GB Gymnastics and, as a result, athletes need to pay their own way regarding training, travelling, food and kit.

But in just 96 hours and after just one Facebook post, the £1,500 target was smashed – but that came as no great shock to dad Hamish Snr.

“I wasn’t surprised, no,” he told the Courier.

“I know what people round here are like with charity, particularly in Tranent – they’re incredible.

“Maybe because it’s something positive for a change and people like happy stories. It’s all for a good cause anyway.”

The appeal was initially posted on crowdfunding site JustGiving on August 31; by September 3, the amount of money raised stood at £1,580.

A fundraiser was arranged for next Saturday (September 29) in Macmerry Miners Welfare Club and Hamish said it would still go ahead.

Starting at 7pm, the evening includes a disco, a raffle and a buffet, with tickets £5.

Hamish revealed his son’s massive commitment to the sport, packing it into a hectic schedule and giving it everything.

“He’s really busy just now, because he’s a student and he’s training to be a nurse, so he’s got a packed schedule,” he said.

“He’s got two jobs right now. He works in McDonald’s and he works in a nursing home as part of his placement.

“He’s had to go to every training camp because if you don’t go to every one you don’t get picked, simple as that.

“They’re usually down in England; the last half-dozen have all been in London. “

Due to the cost of travel, Hamish revealed there could be mixed emotions after a team selection.

“It is bittersweet,” he said. “I think there probably are some folk who just can’t afford it.

“Sometimes Hamish leaves himself skint just going to the training camps. But if you want to do it, you need to be able to pay.”

“It’s a hard one. You could easily just chuck the towel in. But Hamish has gone this far, he couldn’t throw it away now.”

Another five athletes from East Lothian have been selected to go to the Championships, held in Odivelas on October 17-20.

Adam Souter, Dylan Campbell (senior men), Sara Griffin (senior women), Carly McFadden (junior women) and Fraser McLeod (junior mixed) all train at Musselburgh club Saltire Team Gymnastics and were selected after a British competition in April.