Adam is running a Movie Quiz for Beat next year! We asked him some questions about his upcoming fundraising!
Why did you choose to fundraise for Beat?
I have chosen to fundraise for Beat because it is a charity that I can relate to. I have suffered with an eating disorder since 2005. During this time I have had anorexia twice and I am currently struggling with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I feel that Beat does important work in trying to find a cure for eating disorders and by offering support for sufferers and their families, as it can also be a traumatic experience for them. I also feel comfortable that I can reach out to Beat for help if I am having an especially hard time with my eating disorder and I think that it is important that all sufferers know that there is a place that they can turn to for support.
What do you have planned?
I am planning a Movie Quiz, which is scheduled for June 2020. I have decided to raise money for Beat this year because I feel that I now have the confidence to talk about my condition with people and finally stop my eating disorder being a silent battle.
I will raise money through quiz admission, raffle tickets and selling Krispy Kreme donuts! I usually raise about £500 on the night but achieved a new record of £800 at 2019’s quiz so I hope I can match or exceed that amount.
What do you hope will come out of your fundraising?
I hope to raise money for Beat in order to help them in their research and to maintain their services but personally I would like to show people that eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. I am a married 31-year-old male with a 3-year-old son. I regularly go to the gym and many people will say that I am in good shape. However, I hate the way I look, and I hate the way my eating disorder distorts my true image of myself. Most of my friends and family have no idea that I am suffering from an eating disorder, so I hope to raise awareness and show people that an eating disorder does not just affect 'teenage girls' but it can affect absolutely anybody.
What would you say to anyone thinking of raising money for Beat?
If you are thinking of raising money for Beat then I think that you should go for it as it really is a worthwhile cause. During the 14 years that I have suffered from an eating disorder I have found very little help and I feel that Beat is a vital asset for those you suffer with an eating disorder. I also think it is important to fundraise for Beat as it helps raise awareness of eating disorders and it can show people that an eating disorder can affect all different body shapes. I feel that there is still a stigma towards mental health in general, but I think that eating disorders are often overlooked as a 'fad' and that people see it as we are choosing not to eat or to over-exercise. We really need more people to help show that this is a very real illness that can be deeply harmful.