Last weekend, around 16,000 people took to the beautiful Royal Parks of London for the famous Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon. We caught up with one of these runners, Elise Brooklyn, who told us her very personal reasons for taking on this challenge for charity Beat.
Elise BEAT anorexia
Ten years ago, Elise was battling with a horrible, all consuming disease which many aren’t able to beat; anorexia. Elise counts herself extremely lucky that her family not only identified and accepted what Elise was going through, but were incredibly supportive throughout, searching for available services which could help save Elise’s life. Elise says;
“After hospitalisation and continuous support I can say I have Beat this [disease]. It’s still there but I’m in control, something that seemed impossible all those years ago.”
This year marks Elise’s ten year recovery from anorexia.
The challenge
To mark this important year, Elise set herself a New Year’s resolution to set herself a challenge; one which would help her get fit and which would positively impact others. After managing to convince her husband Dave into taking on the challenge with her, they decided that the challenge to go for was the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon raising funds for Beat.
Beat’s aims to change the way everyone thinks and talks about eating disorders, to improve the way services and treatment are provided and to help everyone believe that their eating disorder can be overcome. They aim to do this by challenging the stereotypes and stigma that people with eating disorders face, campaigning for better services and treatment and by providing information, support and encouragement to seek treatment and recovery.
Elise tells us that any money donated to her fundraising page could help others receive the support they require to fight their own eating disorder. She says
“£42 enables Beat to respond to someone in distress, listen to their worries and signpost them to services, every £100 raised helps Beat to provide 80 leaflets for the suffers supporters to help them understand the illness and how best to help them, and just £300 could help to train new ambassadors to share their experience of recovery and promote a message of hope.”
Catching up with her after the event, Elise told us that she and her husband really enjoyed the day. “The weather was lovely, the views were stunning and the running… Well that was ok!” The couple managed their personal best of 2 hours and 14 minutes and said that the support from other runners and spectators was amazing.
Elise and David want to raise as much as possible for this wonderful charity to help others, like Elise, Beat their eating disorders. You can support their challenge by donating to their fundraising page.
