Faye takes to crowdfunding

AN 18-year-old dance student from Clonakilty has taken to the funding website GoFundMe to raise the high tuition fees she needs for second year in college in Spain.

Faye Clague is nearly finished her first year of a three-year BA in Dance in the Institute of Arts in Barcelona and, with fees in the region of €10,000, the enterprising student has decided to try the crowdfunding route in order to raise the money before the deadline at the end of August.

‘A few people had told me about different crowdfunding initiatives when I started last year and the fact that they can be used by individuals or groups for all sorts of reasons such as education, business and charities is ideal,’ Faye told The Southern Star.

‘One girl pointed me to the GoFundMe site as she had used it herself. Last year, I was under 18 so I wasn’t able to do it, but now that I am 18, I thought I’d better start thinking about funding my next two years in college.’

And, so far, the reaction has been fantastic, according to Faye: ‘I raised almost €300 in the first couple of days and I guess the hard bit will be trying to keep up the momentum and get the word out there without annoying people.’

Despite feeling a little embarrassed about it, Faye is finding the process really good and she hopes that if a lot of people even made a donation of €5 she might reach her goal.

‘I’d like to thank everyone who donated so far and also to Clonakilty Credit Union for giving me a loan for last year,’ added Faye.

Faye isn’t work-shy and worked at various jobs in Clonakilty to fund her first year and even made bunting and sold it.

‘Last year I worked part-time in the Fig & Olive Café and Deasy’s Seafood Restaurant in Clonakilty. As well as working, I sold my bunting at Clonakilty Market and I got the loan from Clonakilty Credit Union to make up the balance.’‘I’m actually paying that off now and the funds I raise through GoFundMe will pay for my fees and I will try to make enough money during the summer for my rent, food and other expenses.’

Faye is hoping to pay at least half of her fees by the end of August, if all goes well. ‘I love dance, singing and the performing arts and I would like to go on and perform or teach, so I could pass on my skills to others.’

See www.gofundme.com/fayes-dance-college-fund for more information.