Agenda TBC

Why I am Running The London Marathon.

I’ll be running the London Marathon on Sunday 25th April 2027 for Beat Eating Disorders. As many of you know, my mum has been fighting anorexia for over 40 years.

I was ten years old when I first searched, “Why doesn’t my mum eat?”

As I grew up, I watched Mum's eating disorder steal many memories: family meals, birthday cake, Christmas dinners, ice cream by the sea, and simply sitting together at the table to eat dinner every day.

I remember Mum eating one roast potato on Christmas Day, despite it being her favourite part of the meal. I remember her taking me out to celebrate my exam results. But I ended up eating alone because it was too hard for her to choose from the restaurant. I remember countless dinners I would eat with my two brothers (Jake and Tommy), without our mum.

I remember driving past her on my way to sixth form and smiling because she was eating an apple. Just knowing she had chosen to eat something, however small, gave me something to cling to.

That was what an eating disorder looked like in our family.

It took away everyday moments that most families never have to think about. Food to my mum was fear, guilt, and anxiety, and we all felt the impact of that every day.

But my mum’s story is also one of resilience and positivity. After living with anorexia for over 40 years, she is still fighting. She has returned to treatment. She’s faced foods that once scared her and is starting to regain moments that anorexia stole from her.

I was 28 when I had an ice cream with my mum for the first time. I was 29 when we shared our first slice of cake.

Now she says, “I’m going to eat what you eat.” And she does. Those moments might sound small to some. To families facing eating disorders, they are huge.

We are grateful Mum could receive the help, support, and treatment she needed. I know there are so many families still fighting for that same support.

Over the years, I’ve tried to campaign for change alongside charities like Beat. I’ve been to Parliament to discuss how we can better support people affected by eating disorders. I’ve marched through London alongside people with lived experience, families, campaigners, and Beat to demand better services and treatment.

That’s why I’m running the London marathon for Beat. I want other people like my mum, and families like ours, to have access to the support and treatment they deserve.

Eating disorders can rob families of connection, celebration, and joy. I’ve seen first-hand what they can take from someone and from the families that love and want to support them. I’ve also seen what hope, support, and treatment can give back.

Running a marathon will hurt. But nothing like facing an eating disorder every single day.

If Mum can fight for 45 years and refuse to give up... I can manage 26.2 miles.

So every mile is for her. It’s for everyone battling an eating disorder and for every family supporting a loved one.

I'm running for Beat because people with eating disorders need support, belief, and a chance to recover.

If you can donate even just £1, thank you. It means more than you may ever understand.

This one’s for you, Mum. For never giving up and for anyone else going through the same ❤️ 

Joshua Hills

All profits from the Academy Live Day go to Beat via my fundraiser. If you wish to donate separately, you can do so below: 

👉 Donate to my London Marathon fundraiser for Beat here