Raising funds for Milnes Nursery & Fochabers Fire Station

Hi, I’m Sam, and together with my best friend Vicky, we’re raising funds for two amazing local causes close to our hearts—Milnes Nursery in Fochabers and the Fochabers Fire Station.

On the 1st of June, we’re taking on the Kiltwalk, covering 18 miles from Banchory to Duthie Park in Aberdeen. We're just waiting for the final confirmation from the organisers, but we’re ready and raring to go! As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve also booked a tandem bungee jump (yes, really!) for Thursday 12th June at 12 noon in Killiecrankie.

So, why are we doing this?

Well, first off—I’m terrified of heights. Vicky basically bullied me into the bungee jump by randomly messaging, “BTW, we’re doing a bungee jump.” What are best friends for, right?

We’re both mums, and our eldest children have additional needs, so life can be full-on—constant appointments, care routines, and the general chaos of motherhood. We wanted to do something just for us, something totally out of our comfort zone. This challenge is our way of hitting reset, throwing ourselves (literally) into something wild and meaningful.

Milnes Nursery has been a huge part of our lives. Both my daughters have attended, and my youngest will be moving on to Primary 1 after summer. I’ll miss the nursery dearly. The staff are incredible—they treat every child like their own, and despite limited funds, they always make sure the kids have the best days. Any money raised will help cover costs for the nursery trip and support new learning resources. As a parent, I’m sure you understand how important those first early experiences are in shaping a child’s love for learning. Milnes really does give them the best possible start.

Fochabers Fire Station is also very close to home—my partner has been a firefighter there for over 25 years. The crew does far more than respond to emergencies. They give their time generously to support community events, big and small. At Christmas, they’ve visited Dr Gray’s Hospital to deliver gifts to children on the paediatric ward, and even brought Santa to Milnes Nursery last year when funds couldn’t stretch to a visit. Right now, they’re creating a mental health reflection space in the village—a peaceful spot where people can sit, reflect, and take a breath. All of this takes dedication, heart, and community support.

We’d be so grateful for your help in supporting these two brilliant causes in our village. Every donation, share, or kind word means the world.

Thank you so much,

Sam & Vicky x