For over a year I have been working closely with young girls that are suffering with eating disorders. I have seen the cruelty to which this illness can ruin childhoods, devastate relationships, control lives, and pull families apart. I want to take on this challenge to show my support towards BEAT charity.

Eating disorders continue to affect around 1.25 million people in the UK and many people suffer in secret. Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). Eating disorders tragically have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and many people struggle to find the support they need. The impact of COVID-19 also dramatically increased the number of hospitalisations for eating disorders.

I have decided to set myself a huge goal of running half a marathon to raise money for BEAT charity. BEAT runs a national helpline to support individuals to get the help that they need.

“Our national Helpline exists to encourage and empower people to get help quickly, because we know the sooner someone starts treatment, the greater their chance of recovery. People can contact us online or by phone 365 days a year. We listen to them, help them to understand the illness, and support them to take positive steps towards recovery. We also support family and friends, equipping them with essential skills and advice, so they can help their loved ones recover whilst also looking after their own mental health. And we campaign to increase knowledge among healthcare and other relevant professionals, and for better funding for high-quality treatment, so that when people are brave enough to take vital steps towards recovery, the right help is available to them.

The work we do means that every year lives are saved, families are kept together, and people are able to live free of eating disorders.”

Although this is a big challenge for me (and those of you who know me, know that I am definitely not a runner🤣), I want to raise as much money as I can to support BEAT charity.