An online campaign to pay the court fine of A9 camper Charles Ingram reached its target in less than 24 hours.
The appeal was launched by Lorna Taylor, 50, from Stirling, after Mr Ingram was evicted from the roadside home he has kept for more than three years.
On Wednesday, the 69-year-old was arrested following an altercation with a court-appointed officer sent to enforce a warrant for the removal of Mr Ingram’s camp.
Mr Ingram appeared at Perth Sheriff Court the next day and admitted hitting the messenger-at-arms over the head with a mug.
He was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine as well as £100 in compensation to his victim.
Now supporters of Mr Ingram have raised enough money to pay his penalty.
The £1,100 goal was reached through donations from across the country just before midnight on Friday, and the money is continuing to pour in.
People behind the campaign met Mr Ingram on Friday evening and reported back a message to his supporters: “Thank you and God bless.”
Mr Ingram has already vowed that he will return to his A9 roadside camp and “sleep on the grass” if he has to.
He said: “I am going back to the lay-by and I will sleep on the grass. That is where I am going to go. This thing isn’t over. I don’t want to live in Perth.
“I got landed with a big fine at the court and I need to sort that out. They took hold of my arm so I just swung my arm round to get them off.”
Mr Ingram, formerly a successful businessman and international clay pigeon shooter, said he wanted to reassure regular users of the A9 that he was well and would be returning to his roadside base near Blair Atholl.
He said: “I am going to see if I can get my motorbike back from the police, as it is taxed and insured. If I can’t then I am prepared to walk back to Blair Atholl.
“People have been brilliant with me and I want to let everyone know I’m fine. People stop all the time and give me gifts and so on. Even the Calor Gas rep gave me free cylinders for my stove.”
Lorna Taylor said she was moved to help Mr Ingram after he offered her assistance following a breakdown earlier this week.
“Charles helped me when my van broke down and then two days later this kicked off. He fixed my vehicle and got me on the road and I couldn’t get back to thank him because of this. It’s such a sad end, with the way it was dealt with.
“We are led to believe that they’ve skipped his things everything that man ever had in his life is gone. He’s starting from scratch he’s got nothing.”
With the fundraising total already exceeding Mr Ingram’s court fine amount, supporters are discussing what could be done with the extra cash.
There are suggestions the money may be used to help Mr Ingram erect a headstone at his mother’s grave.