My name is Alicja I am Karola’s mum.

I never thought I would find myself writing something like this. Asking for help is not easy for me, but when it comes to my daughter, I will do whatever it takes. I am not someone who finds it easy to ask for help, but as a mum I have to put my pride aside because Karola needs us.

Karola is 16 years old and she is my whole world. She is the most caring, kind and beautiful soul I know. She is intelligent, sensitive and always thinks about other people before herself. She has the biggest heart, and everyone who knows her knows what a special person she is.

Three years ago, our lives changed when anorexia took over Karola’s life. She became very unwell and needed hospital treatment in Crumlin Children’s Hospital. After that, we continued getting support from CAMHS, including Family-Based Treatment (FBT), which I carried out with her at home as her mum.

I am a single mum and I work full time to provide for my daughter and give her the best life I can. For the last few years, I have been fighting this illness alongside Karola every single day. I have been there through the hardest moments, every fear, every setback and every small step forward. I have done everything in my power to support her.

Anorexia is such a cruel illness. It is not just about food — it takes away a person’s confidence, happiness and the life they deserve to have. After a period of improvement, unfortunately the illness has come back and Karola is struggling again.

As her mum, watching your child suffer is heartbreaking. You would do anything to take the pain away, but sometimes love alone is not enough. Karola needs specialist treatment and support to give her the best chance of recovery.

We are hoping to get Karola into Anamija Treatment Centre in Opole, Poland, where she can receive the intensive help she needs.

The cost of one treatment stay is 27,000 PLN, and Karola needs two stays. We also need to cover flights, travel costs and accommodation for a parent while she is receiving treatment.

I am asking for help because I cannot afford this on my own. I have always worked hard and done everything I can for my daughter, but this is a cost that is simply beyond what I can manage alone.

Every donation, no matter how small, will help us get Karola closer to the treatment she needs. If you cannot donate, sharing our story would mean the world to us.

Behind this illness is still my beautiful Karola — a loving, funny, clever and amazing young girl with dreams for her future. I just want to help her find herself again and give her the chance to live the life she deserves.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading our story and for any support you can give. Every donation, every share and every kind word means more than you can imagine. ❤️

Karola’s mum