A SCHOOLGIRL from Evesham has helped to raise £1,600 for an eating disorder charity.

Hannah Sagar, who is currently in her final year at Prince Henry’s school in Evesham, was compelled to start fundraising for Beat, the UK’s leading eating disorder charity, after suffering a disorder herself and being hospitalised for seven months in 2018.

Hannah launched her own handmade jewellery line, named ‘Feed Beads’, during the initial Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 in order to raise money for the charity.

She also had a grant application accepted meaning a £700 donation to Beat was made from The Pavers Foundation - the charitable arm of Hannah's family-owned Evesham shoe retailer Pavers Ltd.

The grant application was submitted on behalf of Hannah through her older sister Holly Sagar, the event co-ordinator at the Pavers head office based in York.

The application was put forward to the Pavers Foundation’s employee grant application scheme, which allows colleagues in the business to apply for grants on behalf of causes and charities which are impactful in the areas of health, education and community.

The funding from the foundation helped Hannah surpass a target of £1000 profit raised for Beat, and since receiving the donation she has continued to raise funds through her dedicated social media account @feed_beads, now totalling £1,600.

Talking about her successful donation to Beat, Holly Sagar said;“I decided to apply for foundation funding having seen how hard my sister worked during lockdown to raise money for such a worthwhile and meaningful cause to all of us in our family.

"I am so grateful to the Pavers Foundation for supporting Hannah’s achievements and hope that her ongoing venture will help to raise awareness of eating disorders as well as positively impact those affected by them.”

Beat provides much needed support for sufferers and supporters of those with eating disorders and aim to end the pain and suffering caused by the disease and all who they affect.

Beat provides a national helpline, encouraging people to access support and help quickly, and campaign for greater awareness of eating disorders throughout the healthcare industry, to try and diagnose sufferers at the earliest opportunity.

Emily Battersby-Case, community fundraising officer for Beat said:“We are extremely grateful for such a generous donation thanks to Holly and the Pavers Foundation. We know that the past ten months have been extremely challenging for those affected by eating disorders, and they have had to cope with changes to routines, living situations and access to their support networks.

"Beat's services have never been more in demand, and this donation will help us continue our vital work to support anyone in need of help at this time.”