A WOMAN who battled with anorexia, is raising money for the charity that was there for her.

Kelly Louise Appleton, 23, from Egerton, was given a week-and-a-half to live in 2020 after struggling during lockdown, when she had to work from home as a primary school teacher.

But with the help of Beats, an anorexia charity, she has turned the corner.

She was diagnosed at the age of 19, and was at a critical stage when she was just 21.

It was her boyfriend Lewis Wright, who first realised the severity of what was happening, and said Kelly needed to talk to her mum, Sharon Leeson.

Kelly said: "I was referred to by a psychologist to a psychiatrist at the time. They asked me to go into the in-patient unit.

"But I had never been away from home, and I didn't want to do that. In my head I still looked the same."

Kelly struggles with body dysmorphia, which is where you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance.

She first developed this when she was in university and lived on her own.

She added: "I always had some sort of body image problem and lack of calories. But I started to control my calories, and my weight fluctuated when I was in uni and living on my own, and wasn't home.

"I never really had a good relationship with the gym because I used to burn a lot of calories. But now I avoid cardio and do more weights."

Kelly decided to start a coffee morning to raise funds for the eating disorder charity, Beat after they helped her through the difficult time.

After feeling as though she was 'massively let down' by the psychology sessions, and going through five in a year, she discovered the charity on social media.

She said: "I was told I wasn't critical enough to be considered as a priority, and that they didn't have the resources to support me.

"My fear of body image was still there. Beat's quotes were so supportive for me and other people."

Kelly has now left teaching and decided to go back to university to study a masters in psychology, to help young children affected by mental health.

She added: "It was sad seeing the affects on younger children during the pandemic.

"I didn't have someone to look up to. Nobody should be ashamed of their mental health.

"With eating disorders it's untouched and something needs to be done."

Kelly also hopes to give talks at primary and secondary schools in Bolton in the future to highlight the topic.

The charity event will be hosted by kitchen makeover company, Dream Doors, owned by Kelly's parents, Sharon and Mick Appleton.

Dream Doors aim to raise as much money as possible in the lead up to Eating Disorder Awareness Week, which starts todaty, Monday.

There will be cake, coffee and lots more sweet treats available, as well as raffle tickets for some prizes.

Across the country last year, a record £73,724 was raised for the charity during the awareness week. Raffle prize donations are also welcome. For information email bl@dreamdoors.co.uk.

Donations can also be made via the JustGiving page here.

The coffee morning will be held this Saturday at 11am at Dream Doors, Bury New Road, Bolton.