Gemma Lund, whose daughter was diagnosed with anorexia is cycling 165 miles with her colleagues as part of the Newcastle leg of our Big 25 challenge to raise funds for a charity which supported her family.
She is cycling to our Manchester office in aid of the UK’s eating disorder charity Beat, which supports anyone affected by an eating disorder and their loved ones and from who she received vital advice from Beat when her daughter, Gracie, now aged 16, was diagnosed with anorexia when she was 12.
Gemma is cycling with colleague Claire Norton for the first two stages from the firm’s office in Newcastle on Friday, June 27 to Richmond and then to Settle. They both work in our commercial property management team. They will then be joined by colleague Laura Jane Taylor from our Ashby office, for the final 65 miles of cycling to our Manchester office.
Beat receives some government funding to run its services which constitutes 17 per cent of its income and relies on the generosity of the public and corporate donations for the majority of its funding.
Gemma said: “We had noticed problems with Gracie’s eating from being eight or nine, but it was difficult to get the right help. Whilst it was clear to me that Gracie had some concerning habits around food and weight, I felt we were getting fobbed off because the local GP did not feel she was at a low enough weight to warrant a referral to an eating disorder team.
“I talked to Beat and they advised of the procedures that should be being followed by by the GPs, and that because of her age and the concerns we had, she should have had an automatic referral. We finally managed to get a referral to see a specialist eating disorders team within adolescent mental health services where she was diagnosed with anorexia at her initial assessment. From there, we had family therapy for six months and got Gracie on re-feeding medication and a structured diet programme.
“Gracie then spent 18 months on a cognitive behaviour programme that helped her massively and has since been discharged from their services.
“Whilst she is no longer under any care for anorexia, it will always be there and something that she will always have to manage
“I feel there’s a lack of understanding about anorexia which is why it is so important to raise awareness. I think there is a misconception that it is simply restricting your food intake and wanting to be thin, but it is a much more complex illness than that. It can be very much about anxiety, control, unusual habits and rules around food such as strict mealtimes, obsessive meal planning, not eating in certain places or not eating around other people. These are all traits that Gracie has had to learn to manage so they do not have a negative impact on her everyday life.
“For us, the initial contact with Beat to get the right treatment was vital so that we understood what we could say to the doctor and help to get the diagnosis and treatment. For me, it is about raising awareness to prevent that happening to other families so that they know the support of Beat is available.”
The Big 25 challenge coincides with Fisher German undergoing a major rebrand, positioning it as a pioneering, driven consultancy with trusted experts who share knowledge across the business and provide substantial added value to clients.
The firm has also updated its external logo and colours to reflect a shift in mindset, a change in its growth strategy, and its future ambitions.
Big 25 legs will see colleagues travel by horseback, roller skates, tandem bikes and even skis as part of the mammoth 2,400-mile journey between the offices.
Rebecca Davison, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at Beat, said: “Cycling all the way from Newcastle to Manchester is an incredible challenge and we're so grateful to Gemma, Claire and Laura Jane and the whole Fisher German team for choosing to support us.
“1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and the funds raised will help us to provide vital support to anyone struggling, as well as helping family and friends to care for their loved ones.
“We can't wait to see Gemma, Claire and Laura Jane cross the finish line and will be cheering them on all the way!'
Anyone wishing to donate should visit our GiveWheel page.