Hannah Bird, 33 years old, from East London, has recently launched her appeal to raise awareness about eating disorders and funds for Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity.
From 4 February to 4 March 2018, ending at the close of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Hannah will be wearing her boldest socks and taking photos in 125 different places in the capital, in recognition of the 1.25 million people suffering from eating disorders in the UK. She is keen for others to join her on her tour and appear in her photos, or to start tours of their own.
Hannah, who lives in Dalston, is one of the many volunteers who responded to Beat’s call to fundraise and raise awareness during Eating Disorders Awareness Week (26 February – 4 March 2018).
Hannah, who suffered from anorexia for the past ten years, aims to raise £1,000 by the 4th of March.
“I want to use my experience of fighting anorexia to reach out to and encourage others who are struggling and suffering in silence, especially adults and the older people whose struggle is even less known and understood”, said Hannah.
“Eating disorders are with the sufferer everywhere they go. I took anorexia all over the country and the world with me for a decade. But now, in my recovery, I want to show that I can, and we all can, sock it eating disorders in every single place.”
Hannah will be posting her ‘Sock It’ tour of London on Instagram and on her blog.
Beat Community Fundraising Officer, Andrea Auburn said: “We are calling people to be creative or pull on their brightest, boldest socks and fundraise for Beat to mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
“Eating disorder sufferers face an average wait of three and a half years for treatment. By wearing your socks, and fundraising like Hannah is doing, you will help us provide support, tackle barriers to desperately needed treatment, and challenge the stigma”.