Sponsored Shetland Walk Raises Thousands for Charity

Wednesday 25th May 2016

A NorthLink Ferries crewmember has successfully raised more than £2,500 for award-winning charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland with support from her colleagues and the generosity of local islanders.

Kathryn Fullerton from Shetland is the Shop Supervisor on board passenger vessel MV Hjaltland and organised a sponsored walk from Lerwick to Scalloway on Sunday (22 May) with the aim of raising funds for stroke nurses in the north east of Scotland.

More than 20 people including NorthLink Ferries staff volunteered to walk the six mile route across Shetland before enjoying a well-earned lunch at the Scalloway Hotel.

Speaking of the fundraising success, Kathryn said: “I am extremely pleased with the amount raised from the sponsored walk. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is a great charity and we have all worked really hard to not only fundraise but to bring awareness of the fantastic work that the organisation does.

“I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the walk, sponsored us or donated time and money in helping us raise such a huge amount, including my NorthLink Ferries colleagues who have been a great support and the Scalloway Hotel who provided all of the walkers with a fantastic lunch.”

With someone in Scotland suffering from a heart attack every 55 minutes, the Scottish health charity focuses on improving the quality of lives of people affected by chest, heart and stroke illnesses with services including a Freephone advice line, professional nurses, treatment and support.

Katie Jones, Fundraising Officer (North East) at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, added: “We are so grateful for the support from Kathryn and the rest of the crew; it has been a real pleasure to work with them.

“Funds raised from this great challenge will stay in Scotland to help those who suffer from debilitating chest, heart and stroke illness. More specifically it will help provide support in the local North East community including Shetland in which we have many different support systems in place.”

The sponsored walk forms a year-long fundraising campaign launched in February by Kathryn and NorthLink Ferries crewmembers. Over the coming months the team will continue to raise money through a series of events and raffles.

Last year Kathryn and her colleagues successful raised more than £3,700 for the charity Bloodwise with the support and generosity of local people and businesses.

For more information about Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, visit www.chss.org.uk