The Pavers Foundation, the charitable arm of family-owned-and-run shoe retailer Pavers Ltd, has donated £700 to eating disorder charity Beat, following a grant application submitted by Holly Sagar, Admin and Event Co-Ordinator, at Pavers Head Office in York.
Holly made the application on behalf of her younger sister Hannah, who launched her own handmade jewellery line, aptly named ‘feed beads’, during the initial COVID lockdown in 2020 in order to raise money for Beat. The application was put forward through 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.
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 in order 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.”
Holly Sagar, Admin & Event Coordinator at Pavers
Hannah was compelled to start fundraising for Beat, the UK’s leading eating disorder charity, after suffering one herself and being hospitalised for 7 months in 2018. Beat provide much needed support for sufferers and supporters of those with eating disorders, and aim to end the pain and suffering caused by the diseases and all who they affect. Beat provide a national helpline, encouraging people to access support and help quickly, and also 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.”
Emily Battersby-Case, Fundraising Officer for Beat
The Pavers Foundation was impressed and inspired by Hannah’s fundraising efforts and decided to award a match fund grant of £700 in order both to recognise her single-handed entrepreneurialism and also donate much-needed funding to an important charity. This pledge reflects the Pavers Foundation’s commitment to honouring the dedication of their colleagues and wider family who make a difference to charities and causes close to their hearts.
The funding from the Foundation helped Hannah surpass a target of £1000 profit raised for Beat, and since receiving the donation has continued to raise funds through her social media account @feedbeads, now totaling £1,600.
You can learn more about Beat’s mission and fundraising initiatives by visiting their website www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk.
