One of the county’s Commonwealth Games stars has set up a fundraising page to allow him to achieve his dreams of making the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Swimmer Mark Tully, who missed out on a medal by one 10th of a second in Glasgow in July, is aiming to raise £5,000 to allow him to pursue his dream of making the Olympics in two years’ time.

He needs the money to pay for competition fees, the costs involved with training camps, equipment, and the expensive racing suits he wears.

Tully’s suits can only be worn four or five times, and cost up to £200.

But the swimmer, from Tranent, admits his main focus is on the British National Championships in April, with the event forming part of the qualification process for the 2016 Rio games.

Mark explained the reasons why he needs the money.

He said: “I am now on the gold squad of the Institute of Scotland. This is my third year, but it has only been the last two years and then this coming year that I have been given a grant.

“This grant is much appreciated; however, it only covers about half of my yearly expenses, the other half paid by my parents.

“Unfortunately due to the hours of training, and regular weekend competitions I have been unable to get into employment.” Tully, who has recently joined Edinburgh University’s performance swimming programme, also said his experience in Glasgow was unforgettable, and hopes to repeat it in Rio and at Gold Coast 2018.

He said: “Even just to get to this stage was a massive achievement for me and my family, who had supported me so much. Realising at the finish line that I had made it into the top three finishers and booked my spot on the team was an unbelievable feeling and something that I will never forget.

“From being a nobody in 2008 to representing my country at one of the highest levels in the sport in such a short time was something that myself and others thought couldn’t be done.” While Tully is hopeful of making the Team GB squad for the Olympics in 2016, his longer-term goal is to win gold in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

And Mark, who still lives at home with his parents, added: “All of my training is geared up for this goal and I will put in 100 per cent every training session so this becomes a reality.

“A lack of funding over the next few years would mean I would have to seriously consider whether to continue in my sport, as I cannot rely on my parents forever.” He has raised £560 of his target £5,000 so far, and anyone who wants to help can visit www.talentbacker.com/talents/view/mark-tully