My story;

My name is Sarah and for the last four years I have struggled with an eating disorder. I am now in full recovery.

I never set out to get an eating disorder nobody's does. By the time I diagnosed with my eating disorder I was in to deep, consumed by thoughts, behaviours and over exercising. By the time help was there it was too late. My mind wasn't working well, the ED manipulation was very much in place and goals wasn't for me. My weight was constantly up and down, and my commitment to recovery just wasn't there. I wanted to but I couldn't. I went for day patient treatment and things went well until they didn't. After a year off attempted recovery, It was deemed I needed Hospital treatment. Not on a general ward this time, but on a mental health ward. I couldn't do what was asked of me, not because I didn't want to but because the voice in my head told me. Looking back I was extremely unwell. In the end, I was placed under the mental health act for my own safety. I was treated through an Ng tube which I fought against each day. I was moved to an eating disorder unit but again although I thought I was recovering, I was not. I relapsed when home. Not long after this my bloods dropped, my muscles were eating themselves, my heart was beating very low and my liver began to shut down. I was placed in hospital This was the time I realized I was going to die from my eating disorder, I wanted to get better, I needed to eat. I started meal support again, I cried every single meal time, I cried with every bite, but I learnt I had to feel the fear and do it anyway, The more I learnt what kept my eating disorder going the more I could stop it. The focus changed from the scales to non scale victories, boosting my self esteem was a big one, with each day with each victory I began to win... I left meal support at the end of 2024 and began the new year (2025) without it, since them I have achieved so much, I have done all the things I wanted do to, I've had meals without tears, spent Christmas and birthdays with family, I've baked... but the biggest one, I've ate without counting number, without fearing weight, without that voice in my head. I don't choose to know my weight which was a turning point. I volunteer in the local community food bank / community cafe in both the kitchen and in the food bank room making sure other have the food because I know the impact of not having the correct food can do to ones mind and feelings. A whole year later and I'm living the life my eating disorder never allowed me to. My name is Sarah, I never recovered the first time, nor the second because I recovered when I was ready. Because I wanted to.

This year we are gathering in Everholm park In Annan on the 27th June 2026 for a short fun run.

The reasons behind the event;

I decided this year I wanted to run for the charity BEAT however there was no local runs in the area I live in. This made me think of how little information we have in the annan area around awareness and supportand when it comes to eating disorder and we have a lot. So I thought why not set up a fun run, rather than make this a challenge, lets make it possible which would allow us to reach more people, to spread more awareness....

My target alongside raising funds for beat which is an absolutely amazing charity, is to provide information to those in my local area of the early warning signs and the support that is out there.

Recovery is possible 💫

I'm fundraising for Beat – the UK’s eating disorder charity. Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that can affect anyone. Right now, at least 1.25 million (1 in 50) people in the UK have an eating disorder – with millions of loved ones also affected. But there is hope. With better understanding, faster diagnosis and proper treatment, recovery is possible. Beat offer people emotional support and expert advice, and work to change policies, perceptions, and lives. Together, we’ll end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders 💜