Champion fundraiser Bethany Hare’s charity has won backing from the family of the late Sir Jimmy Savile.

Bethany, 12, who has won a string of national accolades for her work, recently went to a meeting with relatives along with Stuart Andrew MP, who is chair of Trustees for Bethany’s Smile. The meeting was held at the Care Home for Little Sisters of the Poor in Headingley.

The family of Sir Jimmy, which included Amanda McKenna, Sir Jimmy’s niece, and his nephew Roger, told both Bethany and nuns from Little Sisters of the Poor that they have chosen the two charities to receive 50 per cent each of all funds raised from events organised in the name of Sir Jimmy Savile – the Savile Walks in Leeds.

They have also agreed that 50p from the sale of every copy of Sir Jimmy Savile’s biography (to be released at the end of May) which is sold at the RRP, will be given to each of the two charities too.

The Savile Walks will end up in Leeds at The Queens Hotel, which has also agreed to donate money to both charities from their afternoon tea sales and their bar takings.

Said Bethany’s mum Yvonne: “This is amazing generosity. As you can imagine, Bethany is absolutely delighted with this news as it will mean she can help many more families who have children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.”

Bethany already has two Walks of Smiles planned for this year. The first is in Harrogate on Sunday, May 20. The second is on September 8, setting off from The Old Ball Pub in Horsforth at 11.30am.