A group of men affected by eating disorders is to walk from Worthing
to Brighton next week as part of a fundraising effort.
The 11-mile walk on June 19 aims to raise money for Brighton-based
charity Men Get Eating Disorders Too.
The funds will be used to support the work of the charity's peer
support group, which provides help to men with anorexia, bulimia, binge
eating disorders, as well as other eating disorders.
Figures from the NHS Information Centre published in 2009 show that
2.7 million people in the UK suffer from an eating disorder, of which a
quarter are men.
Sam Thomas, founder and project leader of Men Get Eating Disorders
Too, said not enough was done to help men with eating disorders.
Sam stated: "We've been running our peer support group for just over
six months now and we're keen to keep the group going so that we can
continue to provide this much-needed space so that men can share their
experiences with other male sufferers.
"Many of the guys we are in contact with are isolated and do not know
where to turn for help. Typically, eating disorder services tend to be
targeted towards women's needs and can put men off.
"Our group acts as a gateway so that men can go on to seek
professional help without feeling on their own.
"We welcome men of all ages, backgrounds and sexualities to join our
group and it doesn't matter what stage of your eating disorder you're
at. If you're a guy and have some kind of eating distress please do not
hesitate to get in touch."
Places are still available for the sponsored walk, which will take
place along the seafront and coastal roads. The event is free to enter,
and there is no minimum sponsorship amount required.
Those interesting in taking part should meet at Worthing Pier at
11.15am on June 19. The walk, which includes a break for refreshments in
Shoreham, will take approximately five hours to complete. To register,
email sam@mengetedstoo.co.uk.
Men Get Eating Disorders Too was founded in 2008 in response to a
perceived lack of awareness and service provision for men affected by
eating disorders. For more information visit www.mengetedstoo.co.uk
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