No Drink January - fundraising for NIWE Eating Distress Service

I've been a NIWE service user for over over two years now and honestly don't know where I would be without them. Their Staywell group has helped keep me mostly on track in my recovery throughout this time - including through three Christmases, which is always a challenging time. With the challenges that local inpatient services have faced in recent years I dread to think where I would be now if NIWE hadn't been there to support me; probably in an inpatient unit far away from home, friends and family.

I developed an eating disorder at the age of 14 after a traumatising event in my life and it took me five years to come to terms with it, seek help and start getting better. NIWE gave me the confidence to tell friends and family about it and really to be honest with myself that it was a serious problem. For the first time in my life I was meeting people with similar problems and could openly talk about the daily struggles that come with the shared goal of wanting to stay well. I can't thank the staff at NIWE enough for giving me this lifeline.

Now those of you who know me know that I like a drink or two (or seven!) so it will be a challenge. I would have done something like a sporting event but again, those of you who know me know I'm allergic to exercise! So instead I'm going to give up one of my favourite vices for a whole month in order to raise funds for a very good cause.