Hi!

Thanks for considering sponsoring me! I‘ve set out some facts below about the cause...

Did you know that approximately 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder?

Did you know that studies indicate that about 50 percent of those who begin an eating disorder with anorexia nervosa later become bulimic?

Did you know that living with an eating disorder is beyond debilitating and consumes all of your thoughts, all of the time?

Did you know that the average waiting time for an adult to get help on the NHS is 6 months after being referred by their GP? Often it is much much longer than this and it is likely the adult has already experienced years of suffering prior to their GP finding out.

Did you know that eating disorders have the highest suicide rate of any mental illness?

Finally.. did you know I love talking? If the answer to that one is yes, you will know how much I am going to struggle with this challenge.

I am fundraising for one of my beautiful best friends, who has suffered with an eating disorder for the last 17 years since the age of 13. She is a victim of anorexia and bulimia and has to face the challenge of all of the mental health struggles associated with the eating disorders. This has not been easy and the last year in particular has been unbearable as the grip of the eating disorders has become even stronger. This is not an illness you would wish on your worst enemy.

She has recently showed extreme courage and bravery and has decided to seek help for recovery and take her life into her own hands. It will be a long journey but the most worthwhile step imaginable to beat this vicious illness.

Due to the length of the NHS wait time, she is pursuing treatment privately in hospital which is tailored to her requirements in order to give her the best chance of a successful recovery. The cost to be an inpatient starts from £700 per day. Yes, you read correctly - that is the cost per day. Therefore for a month of inpatient treatment, the cost is a minimum of £21,700.

You can't put a price on living a happy and healthy life. I would like to raise £6,000 to go towards the fees. To give you an idea, £6,000 would pay for approximately 12 days as a day patient. If I can raise more than £6,000, that would be incredible.

On 10th and 11th February 2018 I will be doing a sponsored silence. (My idea, not Matt's - although I am sure he will feel his sponsorship is worth every penny :) )

I will be silent from 12am on Saturday morning until 8pm on Sunday evening. 44 HOURS OF NOT TALKING. NOT LAUGHING. NOT VOCALISING THAT 'ONE MORE THING I JUST REMEMBERED'.. (This excludes involuntary sounds, i.e. sneezing, coughing etc). This will be a huge challenge for me - but I will do anything to help with the recovery of someone I love who deserves to get their life back!

I promise that I will not stay inside all weekend - I will be out and about, ordering coffee, food etc via a pad and pen - I will make sure I embarrass myself enough to make sure your donations are worth it! Please let me know if you have any challenges you would like me to complete in silence - I will consider whether I do them depending on the size of your donation ;)

Please consider giving generously if you are able to. Another way of supporting me would be to share this link on social media and ask your friends if it's a cause they would support.

Thank you very much,

Olivia