“Sometimes there’s things going on with people that we can’t see”

Hayley Budge who has organised and fund raised an incredible amount of money for charities and organisations in Orkney was the speaker at the Orkney Vintage Club AGM held on Tuesday, 22nd of October at the King St Halls, Kirkwall

Hayley’s adventurous spirit and fund raising started at an early age. While she was still at school in 2007 she took part in a Sky Dive.

At Aberdeen University whilst studying architecture she raised money for Friends of Anchor. Back in Orkney she took part in the Boxing Day Dip for CLIC Sargent.

Then at the age of 21 Hayley’s life was to change when she was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). After this her fundraising activities took on another element  – the importance of not just raising money but of raising awareness.

The Scottish MS Register: “a powerful resource”

Hayley took on a Trek to Iceland in 2014 where she raised money for the MS Trust. She cycled through Vietnam to Cambodia for the MS Trust and MND Scotland. Challenging herself even further she went diving with sharks and wing walking.

In all these challenges Hayley pays for her own costs. All the money she raises goes to the charity or organisation she is doing it for.

Hayley is well supported in all her endeavours by the local community in Orkney.

There is even a range of jewellery based on her winning Tulip design by Ortak where 20% of each purchase goes to the MS Trust. Tulips Supporting MS

Two years ago Hayley took part in a conference in Prague to help set up support for young people with MS. The funding of this project relies on money from the EU so it is in the balance whilst the outcome of Brexit plays out.

When asked about how her MS affects the challenges she takes part in Hayley said that the clue was to:

“Learn to manage it and have good people around you.”

Reporter Fiona Grahame