I'm running the 2019 London Marathon for Beat - the National eating disorders charity. 

There are 1.25 million people living with an eating disorder in the U.K. Anorexia has the highest mortality of any mental illness and is a devastating, complex and often commonly misunderstood illness. 

I know this first hand. My wonderful sister Bella was diagnosed with anorexia six years ago when she was 13. I watched her life fall apart and it was the most painful thing I have ever had to witness. I spent many years visiting Bella in hospital and supporting her at home, it was utterly heartbreaking watching the isolation her illness imposed upon her. 

In spite of numerous hospital stays, B rebuilt her life and went back to school for her A levels. I couldn't have been prouder when she achieved top grades last summer and I started to get my spirited sister back. 

Bella still struggles with her illness and she has to work hard to not slip back into bad habits. She's had fantastic support from the NHS and all of us in her family but it's still hard.

Beat is the leading eating disorders charity in the U.K. They offer support 365 days of the year and are often the first point of contact for someone struggling with an eating disorder. Despite the amazing work that they do, fundraising for mental health is not equal to that for physical conditions, so Beat is reliant on supporters. 

I am running the London Marathon for Beat because Bella isn't able to yet, but I am.