Hi my name is Chiara and this December I will be running the Victoria half marathon to raise money for Beat.

Beat is an eating disorder charity that supports those with eating disorders. They listen and help those suffering understand their illness and how to take steps towards recovery. They support family and friends, teaching them essential skills and providing advice whilst also looking after their mental health.

The charity also campaign to increase awareness among healthcare professionals and fight for better funding for necessary treatment as well as offering a help line 365 days a year.

I have decided to raise money for Beat as they support a cause I feel very passionately about. In 2020 I was diagnosed with anorexia and put into recovery. I later suffered with bulimia and binge eating all of which were nothing like the glamorised versions you see online. Recovery is definitely not one straight line. After three years of ups and downs, my relationship with food no longer dictates the way I live. I couldn’t be more grateful for the professional help I received, the support network I had around me and everything I learnt throughout my journey.

I hope to help others find happiness and freedom in their lives again too as I understand how debilitating these conditions can be. 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from an eating disorder. They affect those from all backgrounds, ages and genders and are serious mental health conditions that cause relationships to be ruined and can severely damage the quality of life of those suffering - anorexia having the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

I hope to encourage people to educate themselves on the various different eating disorders. Hopefully this will make the world a little easier for those suffering. I hope to inspire those who suffer with their mental health in anyway to seek support and I’d really appreciate if you would donate towards this amazing cause x