Your friends are fundraising. Don't miss out, opt in.

Beth's fundraiser for Mind

Beth Dennis is raising money for Mind
Donations cannot currently be made to this page

London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge 2024 · 25 May 2024 ·

Team Mind's justgiving page for the 2024 London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge. To set up your fundraising page just push the Start Fundraising button

Story

Mind are campaigning for better mental health services and are there for us when we need it. Please help me fundraise as much as possible for a charity that is so important to help shape a better future.

For a few years, I was unwell with an eating disorder. I felt really ashamed, scared and I didn't want anyone to know. It massively affected my physical & mental health, my family and my education. Eating disorders consume you, it is constantly in your head and you feel like you can't escape. I don't feel like I can describe it in words. My eating disorder has never gone away but it has shrunk, I have just learnt how to live with it and keep myself healthy.

I hope for a day when we can talk about mental illness openly and it is seen equally to physical health. A day where every young person receives the correct mental health support. A day where young people feel safe and the NHS is meeting their needs. Mind gives me hope for this future.

A few facts:

Anyone can develop an eating disorder regardless of age, gender or background.

An eating disorder is a life-changing illness. Yes, recovery is possible but it can have lifelong effects.

No one chooses to have an eating disorder.

You can't always "see" an eating disorder. Changes in mood or behaviour may be visible.

Someone may be seen as completely "normal" but inside feel completely different.

Food is normally an outcome and catalyst to the illness but their feelings and health are normally the underlying cause.

Before I was unwell, I loved running! Now that I can run again, I have found a love for ultra-running. You get to explore, experience a year in 24 hours, and feel how lucky you are to have a body that can do these amazing things. I understand running and eating disorders can be counterintuitive. I have seen on social media triggering language when the two have been put together.

I had a healthy relationship with running prior to being unwell, and the sport was a catalyst to getting more unwell, not the leading cause. I have been lucky that after years off sport and by working with sports nutritionists specialising in eating disorders, I was able to build that healthy relationship back. Healthy recovery is possible! I run for happiness, to meet new people, explore, and help incredible charities like mind...

Things that may be triggering:

- What I eat in a day

- Before and after photos

- Labelling food or exercise as "good" or "bad"

How can we overcome this:

- Dont be afraid to disengage or unfollow triggering content

- Call people out non-judgementally by reporting the post

Please check out this report we have been working on displaying why we need change: https://byc2016.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Mental-Health-Sub-Group-Report-2023-1.pdf

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donation summary

Total
£900.00
+ £221.25 Gift Aid
Online
£900.00
Offline
£0.00

Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees