Viking Genes Shetland passes £100,000 fundraising milestone

Viking Genes Shetland has raised over £100,000 toward a £1 million target to support a programme aiming to screen up to 5,000 Shetlanders for genetic variants linked to health risks, with donations and community fundraising contributing to the total.

Viking Genes Shetland has passed a fundraising milestone after raising more than £100,000 toward a £1 million target to support a community genetic screening programme. The project aims to screen up to 5,000 Shetlanders by testing genetic variants more common in the local population. Organisers say the screening will identify people at increased genetic risk of serious conditions and help connect them with NHS care. A voluntary committee of Shetland community leaders is coordinating fundraising and local engagement. What we know: - Viking Genes Shetland has raised over £100,000 toward a £1 million fundraising target for a community genetic screening programme. - The programme aims to screen up to 5,000 Shetlanders for genetic variants more common in the local population to identify increased health risks and carriers. - The fundraising mission launched in May last year and the total reflects several large donations in recent months. - Named contributions include £25,000 from North Yell Development Council and £15,000 from Viking Energy's Shetland Community Benefit Fund, with charity shops and local groups also donating. - A variety of grassroots activities—auctions, concerts, community events and a fishermen's fundraising day—have added to the total, with one auction reported at over £15,000 and other small events raising several thousand pounds. - A voluntary committee chaired by Sandra Laurenson OBE and the Viking Genes team at the University of Edinburgh, led by Professor Jim Flett Wilson, are coordinating the project. Summary: Passing the £100,000 mark reflects substantial local backing for a programme intended to improve community health by identifying genetic risks and connecting people with NHS care. Fundraising will continue toward the £1 million goal, with organisers planning further events in 2026.