In a moment of madness, I've signed up to run the Ealing Half Marathon (13.1 miles - or 21.09km) in order to raise money for Beat, the UK Eating Disorder charity. Considering I was in bottom set PE and - until June this year - had never "run" in my life this is going to be a massive challenge for me! 

I've chosen to raise money for Beat because it's a charity close to my heart, who receive no central Government funding. Eating Disorders need more awareness around them, and the work Beat do not only for those affected, but their families and friends as well, is really inspirational. 

It's estimated that 1.25 million people in the UK are affected by Eating Disorders (with 11% of those being male!), and anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness. 

On average, 149 weeks pass before those experiencing eating disorder symptoms seek help. That’s almost three years, 37 months or 1,043 days. 

Research suggests that around 46% of anorexia patients fully recover, 33% improve and - sadly -  20% remaining chronically ill. Similar research into bulimia suggests that 45% make a full recovery, 27% improve considerably and 23% suffer chronically. 

On top of this, in a YouGov survey conducted for EDAW, more than one in three adults (34%) in the UK, who gave an answer, could not name any signs or symptoms of eating disorders.

Hopefully this emphasises how important the work that Beat do is. 

How can your donation help? 

£5 could help fund a Beat advisor to respond to emails from a family member or friend who's worried about their loved one. For a lot of people, speaking with Beat is their first step towards getting better. 

£15 could help their Helpline Advisors take calls and support someone who urgently needs it. 

£50 can run an entire online support session, giving sufferers and their families a space for positive encouragement from others experiencing the same feelings. 

£100 can produce a number of "spot the signs" posters - raising early awareness of Eating Disorder symptoms. Often, early diagnosis is crucial to a full and fast recovery. 

£1000 would run Beat's entire helpline for a whole day - supporting carers and sufferers of all ages, backgrounds and genders when they need it the most. 

My lovely employer is also matching whatever I manage to raise for this really important cause - so I would really appreciate any donation, no matter how small!

If you would like more information on the amazing work Beat do, check out their website: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk