Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have decided to raise money for BEAT, the UK's eating disorder charity. They are absolutely amazing deserved to be supported in all that they do. 4 years on, I am ready to share my story. As a survivor of anorexia, this a charity very close to my heart, and offered support to my family before and during my time as an inpatient. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric diseases and is incredibly isolating. Although I am recovered now, it is something that will sadly always be a part of my life and there are going to be bumps in the road. Recovery is a very long process, and without the help of this charity and all they offer, I wouldn't be here today. 

My history of anorexia started quickly. In my late teens, following an unfortunate change of schools due to mass bullying, I lost a lot of weight within a few months as my mental health and self worth deteriorated. I fell quickly very physically unwell. I was taken to hospital, but A&E unfortunately had no room for me, and the waiting list for treatment was 22 weeks. It was a very scary time, as I was very  unwell and unstable. My family was broken apart, and incredibly concerned for me. I was fortunate enough to be taken by a clinic in London, at huge financial cost, who cared for me until my place at an NHS hospital was available. 

In the past, the lack of beds for anorexia treatment has meant patients being sent from England to Scotland to receive support, with the average stay being 76.3 days in an intensive treatment unit. Families having to travel hundreds of miles to see their loved ones is heart breaking. Waiting lists as long as 22 weeks to receive help is just not okay, but with raised awareness and funding into Eating Disorder treatment, we can change this and help save lives. 

BEAT has a national helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They are a friendly voice at the end of the phone to offer support when one is struggling, and offer coping mechanisms to deal with the scary voice inside your head. BEAT recognise and champion the need for early intervention which we know raises the chances of surviving anorexia. Their work means each year, lives are saved, family's remain together and people can live their lives free of an eating disorder. 

I have arranged a continuous 24 hour run over the 4th -5th of March which is the end of Eating Disorder Awareness week, with my friends and family around the world where we will hand over the baton to one another. We are all doing this "twogether": all eating disorders thrive on isolation and we are doing this joint run to show YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Without my friends and family, this fundraiser also wouldn’t be possible. And they are all people who have helped me on my journey towards recovery. Thank you! 

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