AN ILKLEY man who grew up alongside a sister who suffered from anorexia nervosa will be walking the 84-mile Dales Way this summer to raise money for the eating disorder charity Beat.

Nick Smith, 22, will be joined by his friend Matt Phillips, also 22, on the challenge, which will see them attempt to walk the 84 miles in 36 hours.

They set off from Bowness-in-Windermere on June 13, weather permitting. If the weather is too bad they will go on June 20 instead.

Nick, who currently lives between Birmingham and Ilkley, and Matt, who lives in Ilkley, met growing up in Ilkley and both attended Ilkley Grammar School.

Nick, who is now a final year economics and management student at Aston Business School, has done the Dales Walk before with his family. Matt is a graduate in geography from Swansea University, who shares Nick’s passion for walking and the outdoors.

Nick said: “I grew up alongside a sister who suffered from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that affects as many as three in 100 teenagers. With the help of Beat, the eating disorders charity, my sister received the support she needed. I am raising money to spread information about eating disorders so others can help their friends and family to find the support they need.

“Eating disorders is a contemporary issue that also affects the families and friends of sufferers. The more information that Beat can spread on eating disorders, the more likely that an eating disorder can be caught in its early stages.”

Beat helps by offering helplines and support to those affected by eating disorders. £2 allows Beat to provide online support to a young person struggling with an eating disorder, £25 allows Beat to answer five questions on their online Youth Chat Room, £100 allows Beat to train a Young Ambassador to talk about and raise awareness of eating disorders in the national media, and £250 allows Beat to train a helpline worker.

Nick and Matt are aiming to raise £2,000.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/NickMattDalesWay or email Nick Smith via npsmith@hotmail.co.uk.