Over the last 14 years, Kathryn Fullerton has been a passionate fundraiser, bringing the Shetland community together to raise money for different causes. This year she’s on a mission to raise funds for us and explains why.
“I like helping people, I want to give something back”
I’ve fundraised back-to-back over the years and, inspired by a friend’s daughter, this year I chose Muscular Dystrophy UK – making it the 14th charity I’ve supported.
My fundraising journey started when my mum was on kidney dialysis at our local hospital in Shetland. We raised nearly £450 for the hospital and that was the beginning. Every Christmas after that, the company I work for, NorthLink Ferries, held a raffle for a selected charity. It’s just got bigger and bigger, and that’s only part of the fundraising story.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be possible to collectively raise over £97k for different charities. I’m determined to reach £100k this year, as I’ve always said I wanted to get to that milestone before I hit a big birthday next year.
My son said to me ‘Mum you don’t have to do it’, but it’s like an addiction I just cannot stop. I enjoy doing it. I like helping people. It’s probably just the kind of person I am. I want to give something back.
For every charity chosen, there’s been a personal connection, either for me or one of my colleagues. For example, last year was really significant as we lost a crew member to prostate cancer, so decided to fundraise for Prostate Scotland.
There’s always a reason behind the charity chosen, so that it means something. I always say if I can help one person then it’s been worth it.
Supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK
Supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK during 2026 is important to me as a friend’s daughter, Phoebe, who was diagnosed with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) in December 2023, aged five.
Phoebe, now eight, and her family are keen supporters of the charity and joined me at our latest fundraising challenge in May. Together, 50 of us, including NorthLink Ferries colleagues from Shetland and Aberdeen, walked from Lerwick to Scalloway. Phoebe was able to take part using her mobility chair and also helped pick out winners for the raffle.
As part of my fundraising, I’ve also recently completed a 12-hour-knitathon, with my friend Audrey Smith. We knitted non-stop to make home-made items that were sold to raise money.
Bringing the community together
I’m blessed to have lots of support from my friends and family. Some people have donated to every single charity I’ve fundraised for over the years – all 14 of them. Everything I do, from walks to bingo and horse racing nights, they get behind me and I’m so grateful.
We’re such a close-knit community. I was at my local shop the other day and someone gave me a donation to put towards my fundraising. Then I bumped into someone else, who did the same. I got £30 just going to the shops!
I’ve worked for NorthLink Ferries, which provides a lifeline ferry service between Shetland and Aberdeen, for the past 19 years. When you work with someone on a ship, you live with them half your life – so we’re all really close. They’re a huge part of my fundraising adventures and I really couldn’t do it without them!
What’s next
I’m looking to set something up in the summer, maybe a big 25-mile walk in Shetland, in the hope to engage other parts of the community. Other plans will be a pub night with a local band and a bingo night. So, watch this space!
Support Kathryn’s mission
By supporting Kathryn’s mission, you’ll help fund research and provide support for people, like Phoebe, living with a muscle wasting condition.
Inspired by Kathryn’s story?
There are so many ways you can fundraise for people living with a muscle wasting condition. No idea is too big or too small.
