Sean Connery's kilt funds boost charities

FUNDS raised at Sean Connery's Dressed To Kilt fashion show in New York are to be donated to three ex-service charities.

In recognition of those service men and women who risked their lives, the money raised will go to Wounded Warrior Project, the Paralysed Veterans of America and the Scottish veterans charity, Erskine.

Representatives of Erskine, which has a home in Edinburgh, will be attending the prestigious event on Monday.

Private Mark Connelly, Chris Moon and Major Jim Panton will represent Erskine, with Pte Connelly joining his US counterparts on the runway.

The 23-year-old, of the Capital-based Black Watch, 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was a soldier on patrol in Afghanistan last June when one of his friends triggered an improvised explosive device which killed him and wounded Pte Connelly.

He was flown back to the UK, spending six months recovering from his injuries before returning gradually to work.

Chris Moon, an ambassador of Erskine is ex-Army, having lost his arm and leg to a landmine while in Africa on a charity mission.

Major Panton was one of the first British pilots to fly the Apache attack helicopter.