Wigan schoolboy, Benjamin Wadsworth, completed the HW Toyota family run at the weekend, raising a magnificent £350 for the eating disorder charity, Beat.
Benjamin, who is the son of Scott Rees and Co solicitor, Ian Wadsworth, was taking on the mile long run for his best friend Annabelle. His initial target fundraising target was £200. However, thanks to a little help from friends, family and Scott Rees and Co, who donated £50 towards his final total; he is heading towards doubling that amount.
Challenges Beat face
With somebody close to him, utilising Beat’s work, Benjamin has had an inside view of the problems faced by sufferers of eating disorders.
He came into Scott Rees and Co’s offices on Friday to collect his sponsorship cheque where he highlighted the size of the problems that Beat currently face when trying to accomplish their aims, saying:
“I am fundraising for Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity. Beat supports anyone with an eating disorder, their friends and family, as well as professionals working with or worried about an individual in their care.
These serious mental illnesses include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. 725,000 people in the UK have a diagnosed eating disorder. They affect people of all ages and backgrounds, and up to one in four sufferers are male. Eating disorders cost the UK’s economy £16.8 billion each year.”
Selfless and Noble
Benjamin was presented with his sponsorship cheque by Scott Rees and Co Partner, Lucie Illingworth, who herself is a keen runner and competed the half marathon race at the same event.
Lucie was full of admiration for Benjamin’s reasons for participating, saying:
“What Benjamin is doing for his friend is incredibly selfless and noble. Eating disorders affect so many people of all ages across the UK, all of who need support in their time of need. The fact that someone so young has had to tackle this already is a real eye opener.
Here at Scott Rees and Co we love to support such initiatives. We are delighted to hear Ben completed his run and raise so much money for a fantastic charity. I am sure his dad (Ian) is extremely proud as are we.”
If you have been touched by Benjamin’s efforts or someone close to you has suffered from an eating disorder at some point in their lives, it is not too late to support his appeal. Simply visit his Justgiving page and leave a donation.