THE organiser of an annual march and rally marking the Battle of Bannockburn has thanked National readers after they helped more than double his crowdfunding efforts.

Donald Anderson, 82, retiring organiser of the event, had called for help with funds after being hit with rising bills and a ban on full access to the historic site.

Earlier this month, he and the other members of the small group of organisers launched a crowdfunder with the aim of raising £1000 ahead of the June 22 event.

But on Tuesday, with just a few days left to go, the figure stood at just £665, or 66% of the target.

Yesterday, The National published an article on the team’s final funding push – and within hours, the group had surpassed their target.

By the afternoon more than £1400 had been raised for the event.

Anderson was grateful for the efforts of National readers to help keep the historic event alive.

He extended a “big thank you” to all those who gave the event the cash boost.

“It was quite a pleasant shock,” he explained.

Anderson said he and another member of the team had been at a shopping centre yesterday afternoon when one of them saw the crowdfunder had reached 100% of its target and “went mental in Poundstretcher”.

“It was a big surprise, I wasn’t expecting it,” he continued.

He explained the £1400 will be put towards paying for the portaloos, stage and other essentials at the event site.

Earlier this week, Anderson said he and the team had been “really struggling against the odds”.

“We are strapped for cash, including Portaloos and buses at this late hour,” he told The National.

The Bannockburn March and Rally takes place on Saturday, June 22, and will leave at 1.30pm from Kings Park in Stirling.