Falkirk woman shaves hair for Beat charity

At least 1.25 million people of all ages in the UK have an eating disorder. Abbie McLean, from Falkirk, is raising awareness on the issue and the dangers of trying to 'fit in' by shaving her head.
Abbie McLean and her mum.Abbie McLean and her mum.
Abbie McLean and her mum.

At least 1.25 million people of all ages in the UK have an eating disorder, according to Beat charity.

Abbie McLean, from Falkirk, is raising awareness on the issue and the dangers of trying to “fit in” by shaving her head.

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The 21-year-old developed an eating disorder when she was just a teenager, and 
recently launched her appeal to raise funds for Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity.

She said: “I want to show my gratitude for Beat and support a charity that has helped me over the years.

“I’m showing myself and others that we don’t need to pressure ourselves to fit in.”

This year, Beat charity will focus on the time between the symptoms of an eating 
disorder starting and people seeking treatment with the theme, #WhyWait.

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Abbie remembers that it took both herself and the people around her a long time to realise the symptoms: “When I started my therapy at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services I was initially treated for depression and anxiety.

“It was only when I fainted in the house my mum realised there was an issue. She 
began to notice I wasn’t eating properly.”

The quicker someone gets treatment for an eating disorder, the more likely they are to make a full recovery.

Abbie aims to raise £1100 by tomorrow (Friday) when she’ll go ‘Bald for Beat.’

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Emily Battersby-Case , Beat community fundraising officer, said: “We’re delighted to have Abbie’s support. Fundraising is a brilliant way to raise awareness and ensure we can help those struggling.”

We will also be documenting live Abbie getting her head shaved tomorrow at 12pm on our Facebook page. Keep up to date on our latest updates.