I am fundraising for Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity. Beat supports anyone with an eating disorder, their friends and family, as well as professionals working with or worried about an individual in their care.

These serious mental illnesses include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. 1.25 million people in the UK have a diagnosed eating disorder. They affect people of all ages and backgrounds and my aim is to raise awareness of this tragic illness.

Children and young people’s hospital admissions for eating disorders has risen by 82% from 2019 to 2020. A child is 242 times more likely to develop an eating disorder than type 2 diabetes.

Since 2023, we have seen a growing trend of people being denied treatment and told they are too complex, or not motivated enough to recover. People are being told they are untreatable and in some instances being moved on to palliative care pathways. I’d like to raise awareness and hope for change in how we treat those affected by eating disorders.

So why am I choosing to run for Beat?

Beat are a charity that provide amazing support both to individuals with an eating disorder and their loved ones. Those closest to us will be aware that my wife, Charlotte, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in 2022. The recovery process has required Charlotte to access the only ED unit in Wales.

Although the past few years have been incredibly tough I am so proud of Charlotte for her continued bravery on the road to recovery. My aim is to complete something, in this case a marathon, to support people in a similar position around the UK.

It has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and I am running my first ever marathon alongside my brother Alistair to try to raise as much money as possible for a charity very close to me.

Any donations would be extremely motivating and appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and for any donations you choose to make!

By the way, I hate running.