Hello there!

I'm kind of new to this whole blogging thing, but you may have seen my story in the Herts Ad last week about my fundraising for Beat.

Beat is the UK's leading charity supporting those with eating disorders towards recovery, providing personal care and support, as well as campaigning for more community aid and against the shame and stigma associated with eating disorders, also they contribute research into the causes and effective treatments of the disorders.

I have been greatly affected by anorexia since a very young age, I am now 18, physically well and home after two referals to specialist centres for more intensive care; although I know I still have a long way to go before I feel content atlast, I know I have been given another chance to begin living - and it isn't one I am going to let go of. Now I am home fundraising is an important part of my life, I really want to give something back to the charity, and hopefully differences can be made - eating disorders affect 1 in 150 and 1 in 3 sufferers never recover. Despite the fact being anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric conditions, there is very little support in the community setting. I am aiming to raise £1000 which would enable beat to set up a local support group for individuals, so far I have raised nearly £400 through a sponsored three legged rae around london with my friends, I have an up-coming carboot sale in Aldenham Country Park and in August I am doing a Skydive in aid of the charity.

I would be really pleased if any of you readers would like to get involved somehow - either through a fundraising event or if you could take a moment to visit my justgiving page to make an online donation - I would be really so grateful.

Beat's message is simple: Eating disorders will be beaten.

please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/skydive-for-b-eat or www.edauk.com/