Exmouth schoolgirl Holly Pratt, 8, has used her archery skills to raise more than £1,800 for a cancer charity.

She decided to raise money for FORCE Cancer Charity by doing a sponsored shoot after her mother Bridget was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

She took part in a competition organised by the Exmouth Archers, of which her father Tim is chairman, and shot 144 arrows over four distances – 10, 15, 20 and 30 metres – in the barebow junior under 12 ladies section at the championships.

Holly said: "I wanted to give up my Christmas money to give to FORCE because of mummy having cancer but she gave me the idea of doing something sponsored.

"My friend's mum had cancer and she did a sponsored walk so I decided to do a sponsored shoot.

"I wanted to start at £150 but we decided to make it £250 then £700. Then once I had smashed that, mummy said I could take it to £1,000 and I smashed that as well. I'm quite proud of myself."

Bridget Pratt, who was diagnosed with cancer in October, said: "We are extremely proud of Holly. She has done so well coping with it all emotionally."

Bridget started chemotherapy in mid-November, had a mastectomy and reconstruction in March and started radiotherapy in June. She is also having antibody and hormone treatment.

"Holly coped really well when I was having chemo," she said. "In the lead up to my operation she found it harder to cope.

"The biggest thing was that when I went into hospital was there were no visitors allowed due to COVID. Holly couldn't come in and see what it looked like. I was in for four days. My nurse specialist, Sue Avery, arranged a video call so she could see where I'd be, ask questions and put a face to a name. It put Holly's mind at rest."

The family knew about FORCE because of the support Holly's classmate received from the Exeter-based charity.

When Holly's anxiety rose, Bridget and Tim contacted FORCE.

"FORCE has helped in lots of different ways," said Holly. "I had counselling with Paul (a FORCE family specialist). He said I could come in my nurse's uniform and take my toys. I came in with daddy."

If you would like to support Holly's efforts and the charity, you can do so on her online fundraising page here.

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