Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As many of you will know, I have battled with an eating disorder, specifically anorexia nervosa, for nearly five years now. It is one of the most crippling of mental illnesses, with devastating consequences; it has impacted not only me, but also the lives of my friends and family. 

In 2016 I felt that I was finally free from my illness, yet starting university led to a rapid and upsetting relapse, causing me to permanently withdraw from my studies and be admitted into a specialist eating disorder unit as an inpatient for two months (my second admission). 

My eating disorder has completely flipped my life around, and has taken so much away from me, yet I refuse to be beaten. Whilst my fight is far from over, I am determined to not let it steal any more years or opportunities away from me, or anyone else. It is heartbreaking to see so many people suffer, yet still be undermined by society due to the lack of understanding and misconceptions, leaving them feeling ashamed and uncomfortable, unable to reach out. This needs to change.

Beat-ed is the UK's leading eating disorder charity, providing an abundance of support and resources to not only sufferers, but their loved ones also, through online support groups, peer support groups and message boards. They maintain an incredible website filled with information to help increase knowledge and awareness, as well as issuing inspiring stories from those who have managed to overcome their battles. The charity also continuously run campaigns and events nationwide in order to further challenge stereotypes and change our attitudes towards eating disorders. On top of this, they are dedicated to ensuring that services and treatment are improved, implementing their own research as well as aiding other outside research projects. The support b-eat provides is overwhelming, and I know that it has helped me realise that there is help available, and people who care and understand how you feel. It is a safe space in which I could reach out, but also somewhere where my family could find comfort too. The work they do is staggering, and nothing can ever fully repay them for what they have done and continue to do, but I can help push them further.

I want to show people that they are more than their eating disorder. I want them to see that, whilst you may suffer, your illness does not define who you are. The date I hope to jump will mark a year since my most recent hospital admission- I am jumping to celebrate that I am alive and still thriving, that my eating disorder cannot chain me down. 

I want to raise as much money for b-eat as possible; a charity that give so much to so many people in the darkest of times. I want to leave all my negative experiences in the sky and instead tunnel them into something positive and beneficial. I want to raise awareness and encourage people to do things that scare them the most, whether that be jumping out of a plane 3000ft in the air, or just eating breakfast that day. That all fears are valid, and all challenges are victories, no matter how big or small. Do something that scares you everyday, because I promise you that one day be you will be free. 

It would mean so much to me if you could donate to a cause so close to my heart, and any contributions of any size are massively appreciated. I know Christmas is coming up, and money can be tight, but if you were thinking of giving me a gift then I would much rather you spend your money here instead. I work two jobs and I can afford to buy myself anything materialist I may need, yet the work carried out by b-eat is invaluable. 

Thank you, love Bex.