A YOUNG woman who battled back from anorexia has completed a wing walk to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Lizzie Hill, 21, of Bures, is raising money for Parkinson’s UK in memory of her grandad Tony Hill, who died two years ago.

Lizzie, formerly of Parsonage Street, Halstead, also used the charity challenge to help her with her recovery.

Ten years ago, Lizzie was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and endured numerous periods in hospital.

She was later diagnosed with severe depression and generalised anxiety disorder and in one admission to hospital was admitted to intensive care and given just a 40 per cent chance of survival.

Lizzie said her grandad had been her “biggest support” and she wanted to make him proud following his death.

After seeing first-hand the debilitating condition of Parkinson’s, Lizzie started attending events hosted by Parkinson’s UK, before coming across the opportunity to complete a sponsored wing walk.

Lizzie was warned her low weight and poor physical health would make the wing walk difficult, but she was determined to complete it.

She said: “From that moment, I committed to recovery.

“I started gaining weight in order to get myself in a good enough position to be able to do this event, which require you to be healthy and fit.

“It was hard and at times I wanted to give up, but as I saw the sponsorship rolling in I felt I had no choice but to continue with recovery.

“I got through the bad days, and with time things started to get easier and going to university became more than just a dream, and had the potential to become reality.

“This wing walk gave me a deadline.

“I knew I had to get back on track quickly and that spurred me on. I reached my goal.”

Earlier this month Lizzie walkedthe top wing of an authentic Boeing Stearman biplane above Upminster.

So far, she has raised £2,045.92 for Parkinson’s UK.

She said: “The experience was both exhilarating and petrifying.

“I felt so happy afterwards and knew my grandad would be proud.”

Although Lizzie’s situation is different to her grandad’s, she said she can draw a number of parallels, and believes that society needs to tackle the stigma surrounding all mental illnesses.

She said: “My Grandad, like me, never felt able to be honest about his struggles, fearing the negative consequences with the stigma that surrounds it.

"Through doing the wing walk it was the first time I was totally honest with people about my diagnosis of anorexia and depression. Sadly my grandad never felt able to do this.

“We, as a society, need to tackle this stigma and that starts by being able to openly share personal experiences with others.

“One individual sharing one personal experience may help another feel more able to share theirs.”

To add to Lizzie’s fundraising, click here.