The Rules:

Each donation (regardless of the amount) = 1 vote

You can vote by adding a message to your donation, or by messaging or emailing me privately

After the end of Eating Disorder Awareness Week (28th Feb - 6th March), I will count up the votes and dye my hair whatever colour wins.

Why Dye My Hair?:

I wanted to *do* something to raise money this year. I will still endeavour to answer any questions anybody has about eating disorders, but felt I should earn donations.

For obvious reasons, a cake sale is not appropriate. For similar reasons, doing a sporting challenge didn't feel right to me either. A theme of this year's Eating Disorder Awareness Week is #BrightAndBoldForBeat, and so I've decided to put myself at your mercy!

Why Beat?:

Beat is a charity close to my heart. Unfortunately, I have seen up close the devastating effects that eating disorders can have. I know many people still struggling, and have lost more than one person to the illnesses.

Beat is a wonderful charity that genuinely helps people. They provide support both to sufferers of eating disorders and to their friends, families and loved ones. I know so many people who have benefited from the work of Beat, myself included.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week:

The theme of EDAW (Eating Disorder Awareness Week) this year is "Worth More Than Two Hours". This is because on average, less than two hours is spent teaching about eating disorders in medical schools. This is less than the total time that a GP may spend with a single patient who has an eating disorder. 1 in 5 medical schools provides no teaching on eating disorders at all. 

An open letter calling on those medical schools to commit to ensuring that every future doctor is trained to support those with eating disorders can be signed here: https://campaigning.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/page/98440/petition/1

About Eating Disorders:

Eating disorders are serious and complex mental illnesses affecting people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. People with eating disorders use disordered eating behaviour as a way to cope with difficult situations or feelings. You can learn more here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/

There are many types of eating disorder, including Anorexia Nervosa, ARFID, Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, Orthorexia, OFSED, Pica, and Rumination Disorder. You can learn more about the different types of eating disorder here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/

About Just Giving

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.