Appeal: A Peerie Hansel Fae Hame

The team at the Shetland Amenity Trust have launched an appeal to help send gifts to students who are away from home on the mainland during the pandemic.

The appeal is called ‘A Peerie Hansel Fae Hame’, a Shetland term for a small gift from home. The appeal is for donations of knitted hats, scarves, gloves, socks or headbands which would be sent to students who have been nominated by families or friends. The appeal is also asking for financial donations to help cover postage and packaging costs.

The idea for the appeal came from Yvonne Reynolds, the Lifelong Learning Officer at the Shetland Museum and Archives. She explained, “The idea for the appeal was inspired by a Fair Isle jumper on display in the Shetland Museum galleries. The much loved and well-worn jumper was a comforting reminder of home for its owner, a WW2 soldier, whilst he was away from Shetland.

Many Shetland students currently find themselves in lockdown at university on the mainland. Some, away from home for the first time. It can be a difficult time, many miles from family and friends in Shetland. I wanted to find a way for the Shetland Community to express its support by sending a peerie hansel (gift) from home.”

You can find out more about the appeal, how to donate items and or money and how to nominate students to receive a ‘hansel’ on the Shetland Museum and Archives website. Students who have come to Shetland to study and are away from home can also be nominated.

Find out more about the appeal and how to get involved here.