🏃‍♀️ I’m Running the TCS London Marathon 2026 for Beat! 💜

In April 2026, I’ll be taking on one of the world’s biggest challenges – the TCS London Marathon – for Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity that has been a lifeline in my own recovery journey from Anorexia Nervosa.

This is more than just a race for me.

It’s a celebration of life, recovery, and the charity that helped me when I felt like there was no way out.

🌱 My Eating Disorder Story

Anorexia really took control of my life in 2022. When I moved away to university and had a lot to process, I relied on my eating disorder providing its very false comfort. The behaviours set in and before I knew it I had fallen into the trap of anorexia and I didn’t really know how to get out of it.

Fast forward from September to November and this was when I really noticed there was a problem. When I thought I’d taken control of my life in every way I could, my life had actually been taken out of my control and into the eating disorder’s hands. I genuinely felt trapped in a life I hated, a life I felt scared in every second of every day but it felt like there was no way out. I had gone from joining in on freshers week to very quickly isolating myself from everybody I had met and only really engaging with anorexia, my studies went downhill and my whole life started to revolve around the eating disorder, I had become a puppet to it. At this point, I decided to open up to my family and we made the decision to go to the GP. This was where we realised this journey was going to be a tough one and one that was really going to change my life.

When I finally reached out for help, I discovered how misunderstood eating disorders still are.

I reached out for help in November 2022 and it took until February 2023 for it to be acknowledged properly by doctors that there was a problem. This was because the questions being asked revolved around my weight and BMI rather than the constant, crippling thoughts that were ruining my life. I want to be clear: eating disorders are mental illnesses, not weight disorders. Severity cannot be measured by the number on a scale, it’s the relentless inner battle they are having to continue to live with every minute of the day that truly matters.

In April 2023, I ended up in hospital on a heart monitor and bed rest. This shows how serious an eating disorder can be at any weight, every person deserves help and support. It didn’t matter what I weighed - my body and mind were in crisis. Every person with an eating disorder deserves help before it gets to that point.

I have now been in recovery for over 2 years alongside the help and support of Derbyshire Eating disorder service, I was discharged from ED services over 1 year ago. I am happy to say I believe I have recovered! Recovery is so worth it and even though it was tough, I know I will never regret committing to getting my life back. I have got the girl back who has energy, full of laughter and I am living a fulfilling life.

I am now going from a girl who saw no future, no way out of the dark hole anorexia had created, to a girl who is running one of the worlds biggest marathons, knowing how to fuel my body, all for a charity who helped me right at the very beginning.

Today, I’ve been in recovery for over two years. I’m discharged from eating disorder services. I’m healthy, happy, and full of life again. Recovery was the hardest thing I’ve ever done - but it was worth it a thousand times over.

When I felt utterly alone, Beat’s online chatline was there.

They listened. They understood. They gave me hope when I had none.

Beat campaigns for earlier intervention, better training for healthcare professionals, and more compassionate, informed treatment. My own experience of delay and misunderstanding makes me determined to help change the system for others.

With the support of fundraising, we can help beat to empower people to take vital steps towards recovery, which absolutely is worth it!

⭐️ About Beat

Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from eating disorders, many in secret. They are of all ages, genders and backgrounds – eating disorders do not discriminate.

Eating disorders include bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and anorexia, which tragically has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, though all eating disorders can be deadly.

While this is the worst-case scenario, there are many ways in which eating disorders severely affect the quality of life of both those suffering and those who care about them. They steal childhoods, devastate relationships and pull families apart. But, with the right treatment and support, recovery is possible.

BEAT has a national Helpline which exists to encourage and empower people to get help quickly. People can contact them online or by phone. They provide a place where people are listened to, and are helped to understand the illness, also they provide support to take positive steps towards recovery. BEAT also supports 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. Also BEAT campaigns 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.

They affect people of all ages and backgrounds, and up to one in four sufferers are male. Eating disorders cost the UK's economy £16.8 billion each year.

Thank you for supporting our fundraiser and any donations are greatly appreciated.

We’re Beat – the UK’s eating disorder charity. Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that can affect anyone. Right now, at least 1.25 million (1 in 50) people in the UK have an eating disorder – and the emotional and physical damage affects millions of loved ones. But there is hope. With better understanding, faster diagnosis and proper treatment, recovery is possible. That’s why we’re here. We offer people emotional support and expert advice, we work alongside healthcare professionals, and we campaign tirelessly to change policies, perceptions, and lives.

Every donation makes a difference. No matter the amount, your contribution will directly support our mission and help people access vital support. If you’re unable to donate, help us spread awareness of eating disorders by sharing this page. Together, we’ll end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders 💜

Thank you for reading my story and supporting this cause so close to my heart. Let’s fuel hope, fight stigma, and raise money for this incredible charity. ✨