My Story – Why I’m Running the Edinburgh Marathon for Beat

In May 2026, I’ll be running the Edinburgh Marathon for Beat – the UK’s leading eating disorder charity.

This run is about so much more than 26.2 miles.

In May 2020, I was diagnosed with an eating disorder. What followed were five hospital admissions, countless doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, and years of fighting a battle that often felt impossible to win. When I was just 19, adult eating disorder services told me I would never recover – that this was something I would simply have to live with forever.

At my lowest points, I believed them.

But I am still here. And I have come further than I ever thought possible.

Recovery has not been easy, linear, or quick, but it is real. I want to prove – to myself and to anyone who is struggling or has been told recovery isn’t possible – that no matter how bad it gets, things can get better. Anorexia is the deadliest mental illness, but you are not alone, and there is hope.

There were moments I couldn’t imagine walking up the stairs, let alone running a marathon. And yet, here I am, training to run 26.2 miles – not because it’s easy, but because it represents everything I’ve fought for.

I’m running this marathon to prove to myself that I can continue to do hard things. To show how far my body and mind have come. And, yes, to prove to those who doubted me that I am stronger than they ever imagined.

I’m fundraising for Beat, because their work is truly life-saving. Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that can affect anyone. Right now, at least 1.25 million people in the UK (1 in 50) are living with an eating disorder, with millions of loved ones also affected. Beat offers emotional support, expert advice, and works tirelessly to change policies, perceptions, and lives. They are there for people when they feel most alone.

With better understanding, faster diagnosis, and proper treatment, recovery is possible.

If you’re able to donate, share, or support in any way, you’ll be helping Beat continue their vital work and helping people like me believe that recovery is worth fighting for.

Together, we can end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders 💜