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Eating disorders are serious, complex mental illnesses affecting over 1.25 million people in the UK and have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition. Despite this, they remain under-researched and under-funded. Since COVID-19, cases in Scotland have risen sharply, with hospital admissions for eating disorders increasing by 86% between 2019 and 2021 alone.
February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month, and this year it means something very personal to me. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I developed anorexia nervosa. Alongside NHS treatment, SupportED Scotland played a vital role in my recovery — helping me understand my illness, reminding me I wasn’t alone, and giving me the tools to take back control. Recovery hasn’t been easy or linear, but with support, I was officially discharged from treatment in October 2024.
To give back, I’m walking 150km throughout February with my dog, Bruno, to raise funds for SupportED Scotland. Bruno has been with me through my lowest points and my strongest moments — from declining health to climbing munros and finding joy again. He gave me a reason to keep going when things felt impossible.
I’m doing this challenge to support a charity that saves lives across Scotland and to prove that we’re far more capable than our minds tell us. Any donation, big or small, would mean the world to me and will help SupportED continue their incredible work.
