Hi, my name is Sam, and on the 8th of September at 4:00am, I will be stood at the foot of Snowdon, taking on the epic challenge of hiking up and down it 10 times across 60 hours (aiming for 48hrs) . I am doing this challenge to raise money 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, Binge Eating disorder and ARFID (Avoidant, restrictive food intake disorder). It is approximated that between 1.25 to 3.4 million people in the UK are directly affected by eating disorders, however this number is likely to be far higher. It is very difficult to gather an exact figure, as many cases of eating disorders will go unrecognised and undiagnosed. Many affected will hide their battle and accept their turmoil as a part of their being.

On Beat’s website you can learn about the amazing support and encouragement that they provide, including testimonies from individuals who have been helped and empowered through their services.

Why am I doing this? It is only recently that I became truly aware of the devastating impact that eating disorders have, not only to the lives of those directly affected by them, but also to the lives of their family and loved ones.

I came to know someone, who for many years has battled Anorexia Nervosa, I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of this illness and how it restricted so many aspects of their life. I saw how it anguished and exhausted their mind, how it was preventing them from reaching their full potential and robbing them of happiness and peace. This was incredibly hard to watch, and it felt that there was nothing I could do to help.

I saw how negatively this illness altered their self-image and deflated their self-esteem. Where I saw beauty, warmth and strength, they saw nothing of any value or worth. It really hurts to watch someone you deeply care for, someone so admirable and lovely, suffer in this way.

Through this challenge, I want to help support Beat on their mission to end the pain and suffering that eating disorders cause. I also want to help spread awareness on the complexity and prevalence of these serious illnesses to as many people as possible.

We don’t walk alone on this planet, I believe that together we can beat eating disorders. Recovery is entirely possible, there is always hope for a brighter future and a life lived to the fullest. No one should have to face the mountain alone.

I am doing this challenge for everyone affected by eating disorders, those who I love and care for, and those who I have not met.

Keep an eye out on the page for training and challenge updates.

This is going to be the most extreme physical challenge I have ever faced, It will be just as equally mentally challenging, but every step will be worth it. I want to push myself to new limits and hopefully inspire others.

God bless.

Sam 💜

John 10:10-"The thief comes only...to steal, kill and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness".