A young Fife entrepreneur has overcome illness which left her bedridden to open her own shop.
With the help of The Prince’s Trust, Kate Halfpenny is now proprietor of Makery in Kinglassie having fought back from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, ME and depression, which was a result of her illness.
She said: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of The Prince’s Trust. I was stuck in my bed and they gave me an opportunity to make a future for myself.”
After leaving university, the 26-year-old got a job as a customer service manager for Tesco.
But her health deteriorated rapidly and she was no longer able to work.
Confined to her bed, Miss Halfpenny started painting as a way of coping with her life being turned upside down.
Realising she may never be able to hold down a full time job, she turned her hobby into her own business, and was boosted by grants of £1,000 and £4,000 from The Prince’s Trust.
The 26-year-old now runs The Makery in Kinglassie, which runs soap making, pottery and art workshops.
Miss Halfpenny added: “A lack of finance to begin with was a big challenge so I approached The Prince’s Trust. I have been incredibly fortunate to receive two rounds of financial help.”