A mother in the town wants to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around eating disorders after her 13-year-old daughter was diagnosed with anorexia in the first lockdown.
Charlie Sight walked over 52 miles in the first two weeks of March, to raise money for Beat, a charity that helps adults and children with eating disorders.
She says the charity has been a huge source of information and support since her daughter Lottie’s diagnosis.
Beat has reported a 173 per cent increase in demand for support between February 2020 and January 2021, and top doctors have recently warned of a ‘tsunami’ of eating disorders since the pandemic.
Charlie told BusheyNews: “As a result of the pandemic, charities like beat are saying a massive increase in eating disorders of all kinds in young people as it’s their way of dealing with stress.
“It’s not something to be ashamed of, it can happen to anybody, men or women, young or old and it’s just about making people more aware of it and more willing to talk about it.
“I didn’t even know the signs and it was only due to having my daughter at home during the lockdown that I noticed what was going on. The earlier you spot the signs the better.”
Charlie began the challenge at the start of the month, to coincide with Eating Disorder Awareness Week, 1-7 March.
She said: “It’s been hard work, I am not the fittest person, but I have absolutely loved it, knowing that I’ve got something to walk for has made it so much easier.”
Click here to donate to Charlie’s fundraiser.
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