As the subject title suggests, I don’t like asking for help and certainly don’t do it often so here goes…

As you may or may not know my family was affected five years ago by the devastating disease that is anorexia. Sadly with eating disorders, ignorance really is bliss and whilst our family member received some support, what blew my mind was how full to bursting in-patient units were with people of all ages and all genders. The number of people who suffer with eating disorders continues to go up drastically.

We were lucky. I have met countless people in the last year that have lost sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and friends. It is something that can and does happen.

I am the type to try and do something to change this and on the 19th May I am off to 10 Downing Street to drop an open letter to Rishi Sunak to ask for much needed funding and professional support for victims and families of people suffering.

The day after on the 20th May, the team and I are organising the UK’s first ever Eating Disorder March in Parliament Square. We already have hundreds of people signed up to join us and have a line up of speakers including high profile names, MPs and people with lived experience.

There are a few ways you can help:

• Please sign the open letter here
• Organising a protest doesn’t come cheap, so we are crowd funding for the cost. If you know any businesses who may help from a Corporate Social Responsibility please put me in touch or if you want to donate personally you can here
• If you want to join us for the march on Saturday 20th May you can sign up here here 
• Lastly, if you know any photographers who may come and take a few pictures for us on the day please do get in touch. Between the team we have a heap of followers and media exposure for the day, which of course we would credit you for.

We are a group of volunteers who have suffered the effects of eating disorders. Our passion lies in making this better, removing the stigma and ensuring people fully recover. This is possible with the right support.

Thank you.

Suzanne Samaka

s_samaka@hotmail.com

Instagram @protectyouthmentalhealth

Twitter @SuzanneSamaka