30 January 2013

Baking sale to raise funds and awareness of eating disorders

Photograph is of Cally Smith

A baking sale will later this month be held at the University of Dundee to mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

The event, taking place on Tuesday, February 12th, is being organised by Cally Smith, a Biomedical Sciences graduate of the University who is currently volunteering as a Young Ambassador with BEAT, the UK's leading eating disorder charity.

As part of her role, Cally (22), originally from Aberdeen, campaigns to have services improved on behalf of people affected by eating disorders, and raises awareness of the problems brought by eating throughout Scotland. In addition, she also undertakes fundraising for BEAT and will be a sponsored climb up Ben Nevis later this year.

All money raised during the baking sale will be donated to BEAT, and Cally is appealing for volunteers to help make the day a success.

"I need as many people as possible to help make cakes, biscuits and other baked goods so we can raise funds and awareness of eating disorders, which blight the lives of so many people," she said.

"I chose this week to do a baking sale in particular because this is during Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Eating disorders are serious mental health illnesses but are massively underestimated as a major public health issue.

"As a person who has experienced having Anorexia Nervosa, I understand the perils and devastation eating disorders can bring to all those affected. This is why I'm so happy to be working with the charity BEAT, as I believe that eating disorders can, and will, be beaten, but only by receiving the support of the public."

Eating disorders affect more than 1.6 million people in the UK, with sufferers being men and women of all ages and backgrounds. A staggering 20 per cent of people with eating disorders die prematurely as a result of their eating disorders.

Cally will also be representing BEAT by wearing what she describes as "crazy socks" as a nod to the 'Sock It To Eating Disorder' campaign for this year's Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

"Hopefully I can raise money both by selling baking and by looking slightly crazy with some outrageous socks on the go," she added. "I think having a food-related awareness-raising event for this cause will really help to make people think about what people with eating disorders go through so please help me to help others."

The Baking Sale will be held in the University's Tower Foyer on Tuesday, February 12th. Anyone interested in helping out, or finding out about Cally's Ben Nevis Trek can visit www.facebook.com/events/455778807792795/ or contact her on cally.a.smith@gmail.com. SMS donations can also be made by texting 'CSBN90' followed by the amount the person wishes to donate (e.g. for £10 'CSBN90 £10') to 70070.

More information about BEAT is available at www.b-eat.co.uk

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277