Student Ceri running to support eating disorders charity

Posted 11 March 2014

Shropshire student Ceri Jones has set out to raise as much money as she can, by running as many races as she can, for an eating disorder charity in 2014.

Harper Adams University student Ceri, 19, from Llynclys, Oswestry is in recovery after suffering from an eating disorder earlier in her teenage years.  

Now fit and well, and in the second year of a degree in Food and Nutrition, Ceri has set a personal goal to raise funds for Beat (www.b-eat.co.uk), a charity very close to her heart.

Ceri, a former pupil of Llanfyllin High School, Powys, said: “As I have previously suffered with an eating disorder, I am now raising awareness for those who are suffering and want to raise money to help provide support for victims and their families - the sooner a person with an eating disorder receives treatment, the more likely they are to make a full recovery, emphasising the importance of this amazing charity.

“During my recovery, I turned to running to help me gain strength and confidence in what I could do and now, less than a year on, I am taking part in several running events to raise money for Beat.

“A few challenges I have already planned are the Apley 5km trial run, Market Drayton 10km, Lake Vrynwy Half Marathon, Shrewsbury Half Marathon and, hopefully, the Ironbridge Half Marathon. I would also like to complete a 500-mile relay run and the three peaks challenge in four days.

“All of this only takes me up to May 2014, but there will be plenty more after that!

“I have events on the Harper Adams campus at the planning stage and have already given a presentation to fellow students and staff about my experiences with an eating disorder, in order to raise awareness of the issue and encourage people to support my fundraising efforts.”

The charity Beat (Beating Eating Disorders) provides helplines, online support and a network of UK-wide self-help groups to help adults and young people in the UK beat their eating disorders.

Ceri, who joined Lawley Running Club in Telford in January, has already completed charity challenges in aid of Beat, including the Birmingham Big Fun Run, but this year she is stepping it up a gear!

Also in 2014, Ceri will begin a one-year work placement in new product development at Village Bakeries, Wrexham, before returning to complete her degree at Harper Adams in 2015.

To support Ceri and the charity that has helped her visit www.justgiving.com/Ceri-Jones14