Gary Fraser: Peterhead player grateful for 'crazy' fundraising efforts for operation
- Published
Peterhead players are trying to raise cash for teammate Gary Fraser (right) to have surgery
Peterhead's Gary Fraser says it is "absolutely crazy" how the football community has rallied round to help raise money for his knee operation.
The League 1 side's revenues have taken a hit amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the squad launched a campaign to raise £7,500 for the private procedure.
West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan is among those who have donated, the businessman pledging £2,500.
"I don't know what to say," Fraser, 26, told BBC Scotland.
"West Ham United, unbelievable, when I saw it I was like, 'surely not, I must have been a player back in the day'. To do that, a club like West Ham, honestly it doesn't matter if it is £2,500 or £2 or a message - what people give is fantastic, but for a club like West Ham United is unbelievable.
"It is absolutely crazy, the people that have got behind me and backed me, it just shows you football is one of these sports where everybody comes together. It is absolutely fantastic, it is just the people in football, it is incredible for people even to give up their time to even worry about me."
As well as the crowdfunding page, manager Jim McInally and midfielder Simon Ferry are auctioning shirts while the squad offered to climb Ben Lomond to help raise money for defender and midfielder Fraser, who has been sidelined since December.
Ben Lomond is on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond
Peterhead aim to raise a total of £10,000, with the extra money going to a mental health charity.
"I am going to see a surgeon on 28 June to see what happens, but we have the money there for an appointment - the appointment is dear as well - even if I don't need the operation," Fraser explained.
"I think I will. If I don't, all the money will go to mental health anyway, so it is a good cause no matter what
'People don't understand in football mental health is massive, especially with people with injuries as well and if I can help raise a bit of awareness about that I would be happy to do so."
And McInally commented: "Gary is a big figure in our squad and it will be great to have him back sooner rather than later.
"We do not know when he will play again but the club were good enough to give him a contract, however they are not in a position to pay for a private operation."