Meet Our Supporters: Sandra’s Mountain Faeries

Meet Our Supporters: Sandra’s Mountain Faeries

As winter settled over the Scottish Borders, one supporter brought a touch of magic to the festive season – and raised an incredible £702.00 for Scottish Mountain Rescue in the process.

Sandra, a massage therapist and mountain wanderer, spent months hand-crafting 80 unique Scottish mountain tartan faeries, each one complete with tiny kilt, felted hair and bags of character. These enchanting creations formed the heart of her fundraiser, as she took them to local craft markets for sale in late November.

Her faeries quickly found homes across the Borders – delighting shoppers at Christmas markets in Selkirk and Jedburgh. Sandra’s fundraiser inspired generosity from everywhere in the community, with Hush Photography kindly donating prints to sell, and one of the markets waiving their stall fee to support the cause.

Thanks to Sandra’s dedication, creativity and imagination, a simple idea blossomed into a heartfelt fundraiser for Scotland’s volunteer mountain rescue teams. The huge fundraising total is greatly appreciated by Scottish Mountain Rescue and will be put to good use in powering our teams to respond – Any Hour, Any Day, Any Weather.

We caught up with Sandra to learn more about the person behind the faeries and the inspiration for this magical project.

Can you tell me more about yourself?

I’m Sandra, I live in the Scottish Borders & work as a massage therapist.

In my spare time I love to meander through the Scottish mountains searching for that perfect cuppa tea spot, some meditative cold water therapy & crafting oddities.

Why did you decide to fundraise for Scottish Mountain Rescue?

I wanted to be in credit should a calamity ever occur on the hills and I needed to call out the team!

What inspired you to take on this particular project as a fundraiser?

I’m not fit enough to run a marathon, so crafting seemed more appropriate.

What kind of preparation has this involved?

Wine, chocolate and a movie in the background as I got sewing.

What was the hardest and most rewarding thing about the fundraising?

Hardest – designing the fairies’ kilts.

Rewarding – knowing that money raised is going to a truly great cause.

What advice would you give to someone considering a similar fundraiser?

Fundraising doesn’t always have to be a physical endurance quest, giving any of your time is valuable & any amount of money raised will always be gratefully received. Most importantly though, have fun doing it.

What’s next for Sandra?

To keep enjoying the mountains until the Reaper taps me on the shoulder & takes me to a new realm!

Thank you, Sandra, for sharing your wonderful story with us – and for pouring so much creativity, humour and heart into every single Mountain Faerie. Your fundraiser has made a real difference, helping our volunteer teams continue their vital work and saving lives across Scotland’s mountains.

We hope you’re as proud of your achievement as we are. Your faeries aren’t just beautiful creations – they’re tiny guardians of the hills, each one crafted with care and spirit.

All images above kindly supplied by Sandra