Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. In September I will be running the Great North Run which is 22 kilometers for BEAT. (those who knew my sporting abilities at school know that this is very ambitious) 

My story: 

I've always been quite private with my personal struggle but decided that now was the time to share my battle with Anorexia Nervosa. Not only to give those who are in a similar situation to mine hope, but also to raise money for a fantastic cause.
My struggle started when I was 15 after being teased about my appearance when I was younger. When I was at my worst, I wasn't even allowed to do basic daily activities like go shopping with my friends because I was too weak. The times when I was at school I had to use the lift as the stairs would use up the little energy I had. At 16, I weighed just 5 stone, which is the average weight for a 9-year-old. Because of this, I missed out on amazing opportunities and other childhood/teenage experiences we take for granted.
After feeling like I would never recover 3 years ago, to now feeling strong enough to run half a marathon is something that I couldn’t have dreamt of. At the age of 20, I feel happier in myself than I ever have done, both physically and mentally, and so have decided it’s time to give back.

What Beat does and why donate to Beat? 

Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity. The first national charity for people with eating disorders. They are a champion, guide, and friend to anyone affected by eating disorders, giving individuals experiencing an eating disorder and their loved ones a place where they feel listened to, supported and empowered.

 Although I was one of the lucky ones, thanks to a brilliant support network around me, (shout out to my family, my best friends, family friends, staff at school/hospital and my boyfriend)  recovering from Anorexia was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I'm sure many others would agree. Although recovery usually refers to attaining a healthy weight, the mental struggle and physical side effects live far beyond that. That is why charities such as Beat are so important in order to reduce the stigma surrounding eating disorders and mental health in general and provide support to those who need it. 

I would be so so grateful for any donations, thank you so much!

*Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.*