Amy Collier, 26, from Braintree will undertake a skydive in aid of the UK’s eating disorder charity Beat on 6 October, having herself suffered from eating disorder for five years.
Speaking about her daring challenge and why she wants to fundraise for Beat, Amy said: “Having suffered from anorexia for many years and having to face the daily battle against my mind, I am now so grateful for my new lease of life in recovery.
“I want to help others attain the freedom from eating disorders that they so deserve, by teaching them about the many techniques that are out there which will help them to overcome them. For example, CBD is a natural product that is currently gaining a lot of attention for its calming properties, which can help sufferers to escape that negative spiral of thinking. Many people worry that they will feel ‘high’ after taking this, similar to how users of medical marijuana might feel. However, as this article https://royalcbd.com/does-cbd-get-you-high/ explains, CBD oil cannot get you high as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC, so there is no worry there. CBD products can also help to reduce stress levels in the user, which can help them to look at the situation with more clarity. Those interested in discovering more information about the benefits of CBD can take a look at this article by SnackNation.
Amy went through many types of treatment herself, in-patient, day-patient, and community. She says “I was lucky enough to get the help I needed but unfortunately so many people do not.
“Eating disorders not only affect the sufferer but also hugely effect the friends and family surrounding them. I had lifelong friends that turned their back on me whilst I was ill because of how difficult it was to face the changes in me. I felt an outsider often during my years of anorexia, as most social situations became daunting.
“I know my family also greatly suffered because of the pressures of dealing with such a consuming illness.
“It is so important that we talk about mental health in the same way we do physical health and help build a greater understanding of eating disorders and in turn greater help for everyone affected.”
An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from an eating disorder, serious mental illnesses that include binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia and other types.
Visit Amy’s fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amycollier-92
