Raising money for Beat

I am so excited to be running Brighton Marathon in April 2020. I have chosen to raise money for a charity very close to my heart.  Beat Eating Disorders. 

When my daughter Maddie was diagnosed with anorexia at 11 years of age the bottom fell out of my world. I didn’t know where to turn for help or where to get support. I just wanted her to be happy and healthy again. 

With mental health illnesses being so complex I couldn’t simply get a prescription from my GP to make Maddie better.  Recovery was going to be a very long road with lots of twists, turns, highs and lows. With every step forward we would take another two steps back. Clinical appointments and hospital stays were a weekly occurrence.

I needed some guidance and support to understand this life threatening illness and hopefully find answers to the endless questions I had. I came across Beat when searching online. A charity set up to support individuals and their families experiencing eating disorders. They understood what both Maddie and I were going through and were able to offer advice, support.

Eating disorders can be deeply isolating for the people affected by them. Beats online support groups and regional support services allow people to talk to others with similar experiences, helping them to feel less alone with their eating disorder. They run phone and email helplines 365 days a year for anyone who needs us. Often when people get in touch it’s the first time they’ve voiced their concerns about themselves or a loved one.

Any donations, however large or small are very much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read our story. X

More information about Beat (Formerly Eating Disorders Association): Beat is the UK's eating disorder charity. Our purpose is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders. We do this by working directly with sufferers and their families, and by using that experience to highlight the challenges they face and campaign for change. Our vision is a society where people with eating disorders experience care and understanding, and where they can quickly access treatment that supports a rapid and sustained recovery.