When Ali's “Little Splash’ turned into a fashion coup for the ME Association

Alison Payne has turned her vintage clothing business into a right little earner for the ME Association – putting a smile on her face on Instagram, even as the weather has been chucking relentless torrents of rain down on her home county of Somerset.

Appropriately, ME sufferer Ali runs a business in Frome called ‘Little Splash Fashion’. After deduction of expenses, she turns 25% of her profits over to the MEA to spend as we would like on our vital work caring for people with the illness.

Since she offered us the 25% deal last April, she’s raised £1,100 for the charity, all the while juggling the need to look after herself and her family with the need to appeal for new supplies of vintage clothing and fronting her live sales shows on Insta.

“If you see me on Instagram, you’ll probably see me happily chatting, showing clothes and trying on make-up, but what you won’t see is the resting that comes before and after!”, 41-year-old Ali told us this week, as the Somerset Levels continued to fill up with floodwater.

“I have to pick and choose what I do throughout the day. So, if I shower one day, I won’t be doing my hair and make-up the same day because I don’t have the energy. If I wash my hair, I won’t be doing any housework.

“It’s all about knowing what my body can cope with each day and picking and choosing what needs to be done! I rarely leave the house and, even on the better days, I spend 60-70% of my day resting.

“You have to remember that social media isn’t real life! I’m very open and honest about my condition and talk about it often, I even show up on the bad days! My Instagram friends know me, but those on the outside who only see the “get ready with me” reels won’t realise the struggles I have every day of my life!”

Her mood matched the weather outside recently as she’s been recovering from a heavy cold and looking after her two children, who have both been unwell. But Ali, who was diagnosed with ME 13 years ago, is battling on.

Sales are down a bit at the moment “but I’m not giving up. People are still being kind and donating clothing when they can.”

Please have a rummage in your wardrobe and see what outfits you could donate to Alison’s appeal. She promises to reimburse the cost of postage to anybody who entrusts their pre-loved clobber to her. All she asks is that it’s sent to her clean and in good condition.

MEA fundraising and development manager Jim Morrison commented: “Ali has been doing a fabulous job for the charity and gives us the best percentage deal we’ve ever had. She has to source her own clothes and cover all her postage costs. We’d love it if she felt able to continue with us.”

You will be very welcome to join Ali and her 1,900 followers online at https://www.instagram.com/little_splash_fashion/ Or you can reach her by email at dandy_ali@hotmail.com