Taking the leap in aid of Eating Distress Northeast and BEAT

Eating Distress Northeast (EDNE) are a local charity offering face to face counselling for anyone experiencing eating distress, as well as anyone in their support network needing help or reassurance. They provide a space to speak in confidence and without judgement. Finding services that offer counselling and support to family/friends of those affected can be difficult.

As well as offering counselling, EDNE also deliver education and awareness training programmes to schools and universities, GP and health professionals, youth groups and other youth services, community organisations, local authorities, employers and housing providers to help them recognise, understand, and support individuals experiencing eating distress.

Beat also offer support services and training in partnership with the NHS. As well as campaigning for changes to government health polices and approaches/advice on healthy eating and lifestyles, and changes to media representations of eating disorders.

By donating you could help:

• Fund specialist counselling and support groups

• Offer more widespread training, so that people can spot the signs of eating distress, and help others seek the support they need as early as possible

• Pay for information and posters to be displayed in schools and universities

• Pay for a trained Helpline advisor to provide an hour of online support, guidance and advice on Beat’s platform for £25/hr

• Contribute to the £100 required for Beat to deliver webchat support to 4 young people, helping them to make the first steps towards recovery

• Beat to continue their campaigns for change and adding to the research on eating disorders

• Improve awareness of eating disorders and how to support

You can read more about the work of each respective charity by following the links in the updates section below.

To raise money, I will be taking part in a 15,000ft skydive at Skydive Northwest. The cost of the skydive will be subsidised by Beat through their charity sponsorship scheme. I hope to reach as many people as possible by way of contribution to the work that they do. All other proceeds will go towards EDNE and Beat. Please share my post with friends/family. Let's raise as much awareness as possible!

My connection to the cause

I have personally been affected by an eating disorder. Before being diagnosed, I had very little understanding of the condition, but while in treatment I have met so many others and have come to realise just how prevalent the conditions are. In 2023 12% of all 17-19-year olds - and nearly 21% of young women – were recorded as having an eating disorder. However, eating disorders don't discriminate based on gender, race, sex, age or socioeconomic background. Two to three million UK adults of all ages could be affected at some point in their lives - similar to the number of people with diabetes. And of all mental illnesses Anorexia has the highest mortality rate.

Yet there remains a lack of understanding of eating disorders. Research has shown that medical students receive less than two hours of teaching on eating disorders, while their training lasts between 4-7 years. 20% of schools did not cover eating disorders on their curriculums.

Currently services are under strain due to demand. Hospital admissions for eating disorders in England have steadily increased since 2000 and surged since the pandemic, with more than 31,000 admissions in 2023-24.

Eating disorders are serious conditions that pose significant health implications and destroy lives. Each case is individual and the causes for developing the illness are complex. They are never a choice.

Recovery can feel like stepping into the unknown. Through my own personal battle with anorexia, I have been guided by the motto 'just take the leap' with the hope that recovery will be worth the pain and struggle. Skydiving is something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember, but currently presents a health risk due to my condition.

I am setting myself this target in order to drive my recovery forwards and to create a positive outcome from a long battle with illness in and out of hospital.

I hope that by sharing my own diagnosis, I will aid the work being done to remove the stigma surrounding eating disorders so that others suffering in silence feel able to speak out and seek help.

I ask that you respond sensitively. Publicly announcing my illness is very exposing and recovery is no easy feat!

To anyone who chooses to support my cause, thank you, it means so much.

Lastly, full recovery is possible with the right treatment and support. If you are struggling/know someone who is struggling I will leave a link to helplines below. No matter how long you have lived with an eating disorder, you are deserving of a life free from illness!

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/helplines/

Young Minds

0808 [teléfono redactado] (Parents Helpline)

85258 (text the word 'shout')

youngminds.org.uk (Provides advice and support to young people for their mental health, as well as supporting parents and carers)