Maddie Pedder spent the month of may fundraising for the Butterfly Foundation which is a helpline and support service for people with eating disorders.
After her own battle with anorexia, she knows how important this foundation is for people with eating disorders.
Maddie’s battle began in high school where she was bullied, and got significantly harder after the death of her grandfather.
She realised she had a problem in the summer of 2011. She was spending 5-6 hours each night on an exercise bike and not eating.
While she knew it was a problem, she did not seek help until 2012 when her first point of contact was the Butterfly Foundation.
“It took a long time to come to terms with it. But if I thought ‘If I didn’t have a problem, I wouldn’t be in hospital,” Maddie said.
“I found the Butterfly Foundation really helpful.
“They encouraged me to get help.”
Now 19, Maddie is physically recovered however she said it will be a life long mental struggle.
In May this year, the Foundation was told it only had another 12 months of certain funds and Maddie decided she wanted to help them out.
The organisation provides a helpline for people with an eating disorder as well as providing support programs.
“They helped me, so I thought I should help them,” she said.
She has raised more than $300 for them just through a simple raffle and a go fund me page which was drawn on Thursday afternoon.
“If people are worried they have an eating disorder, they should get help,” Maddie said.
“It could end badly if they don’t.”
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, you can contact the Butterfly Foundation helpline on 1800 33 4673 or visit http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/.
