Faye in running for national Royal award

Faye Savory scooped the NatWest Enterprise Award at the Yorkshire and Humber regional awards last year, and is now in the running for the prize at the national final, which will be hosted by Ant and Dec in London next week.

Faye was working as a therapist in the city when she was diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease, which severely affected her mobility and her ability to carry out everyday tasks. On her worst days, she was unable to wash, dress or feed herself and she could only leave the house using a wheelchair.

Forced to leave her job, but wanting to stay productive, Faye began blogging and making jewellery, which she sold online, donating the profits to chronic illness charities. She then turned her hand to making and selling ‘hug in a box’ gift hampers, filled with handmade treats designed to capture the warmth and comfort of a hug, to be sent to loved ones far away. In less than a year, Faye sold more than 1,000 boxes and has since forged a philanthropic partnership with the charity Post Pals.

The Prince’s Trust & TK Maxx Celebrate Success Awards, now in its thirteenth year, recognises disadvantaged young people who have overcome issues such as abuse, drug addiction, homelessness, depression and unemployment.

Faye’s achievements mean she is now one of just three people across the UK to be nominated for the NatWest Enterprise Award, which recognises those young people who have overcome serious difficulties in order to achieve success in creating a sustainable business or social enterprise.

Faye said: “Before Lyme Disease, I’d graduated from university and had started working in a job I loved. It was really difficult to have to let go of that.

“When I decided I wanted to make and sell ‘hug in a box’ gift hampers, I got in touch with the Prince’s Trust.”

Faye’s next step was Enterprise – The Trust’s four day intensive course that helps unemployed young people start up in business. After researching the market, Faye applied for The Trust’s Will It Work Grant in order to market-test and prototype her idea.

“I sold 24 prototypes in the first three weeks! The Prince’s Trust gave me purpose and have helped me turn my little idea into a life-changing reality.”