We're looking for stories of people who found funding by unusual means. Perhaps through a speculative letter to a company, through an obscure grant awarded once every 7 years to students born on a Tuesday, etc.

I found 20p last night - helped no end

Puppies. I borrowed £250 off my husband to have my Shih Tzu mated with a very good stud. She has 6 beautiful puppies, 5 weeks old that I am supposed to now advertise for £550 each to pay for my first year fees. BUT they are so beautiful How can I sell these
Who wants a beautiful Shih Tzu puppy, a snip at £550

a friend of mine has her first year funded by a foundation which does not usually fund PhDs at all. she sent a speculative application, and i suppose having some contacts within the foundation might have helped, and they obviously liked her project so made an exception.