Murray puts his best foot forward for the RNLI

Papdale Primary School’s Murray Budge was inspired to follow in the footsteps of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore when he launched his own walking fundraiser.

The 11-year-old from Kirkwall has already raised more than £1,100 – ten times what he had originally hoped – and he still has two weeks left to complete the 129-mile challenge – walking all 31 days of March.

Murray, who is in primary 7, said: “I’m happy that I have raised such a lot of money for the lifeboat. A lot of my family are at sea – the lifeboat might have to rescue them some day. This year will be difficult for them to do their usual fundraising due to the COVID restrictions, so I wanted to do my bit to support them and help raise money for such a great cause.”

Murray is usually accompanied on his daily walks by his mum, Nicky and younger brother, Sigurd, 9 – dad Magnus is working abroad with Maersk shipping company so has been unable to take part.

Nicky, a kitchen assistant at Papdale Primary, explained how the fundraiser came about. “It was originally Captain Tom who inspired Murray. We were watching the news about his death and Murray said he could do a walk and raise money for charity too.”

With encouragement from the sea-faring family, Murray set about planning the fundraiser – there was only ever going to be one charity to benefit – the RNLI – Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

“Working at sea runs in both sides of the family and Murray has been daft about boats ever since he was peedie so we knew he would choose to raise money for the lifeboat. I have been home-schooling the boys and with the challenges of the lockdown, we wanted something else to focus on.”

They decided on a challenge to walk 129 miles – this distance is equivalent to leaving from Kirkwall Lifeboat Station and visiting every station in Orkney, before ending back at the Kirkwall station.

Murray and his companions have been out and about no matter what the weather – and so far have walked areas of Kirkwall, Stromness and Burwick – the furthest in one stint so far topping nearly 8 miles – however they usually manage around 4-5 miles a day.

This week sees the boys back into school as well, so the walks will now have to be fitted in after that.

“He is a member of Sea Cadets as well – let’s just say they have been sleeping well! Nicky laughed. “It’s so nice getting out and about and enjoying the fresh air. As folk have heard about what he’s doing, they have been cheering him on which is really nice.”

When asked if he had sore feet, Murray replied: “No, but I might by the end of the month!”

It is hoped that a few of the volunteer crew members of the RNLI locally may accompany Murray on the last day of his challenge, finishing up at the Kirkwall station.

Orkney Islands Council Executive Director of Education, Leisure and Housing, James Wylie, said: “We are incredibly proud of our pupils here in Orkney – many of whom are willing to go the extra mile – quite literally in the case of Murray and his walking challenge! We wish him all the best in completing the fundraiser later this month which is for a very worthy cause and particularly relevant for our island communities.”

If you would like to donate head to the RNLI Kirkwall Lifeboat Facebook page or follow the JustGiving link here.

Photos – Orkney Photographic - Following in Sir Captain Tom Moore’s footsteps - Murray is fundraising for the RNLI.