Largs woman completes skydive for eating disorder charity

Zoe Hodge, who owns skincare salon Glow on School Street in Largs, suffered from anorexia for five years before reaching out for help at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

She was given a mentor by the charity Beat which provide support to people affected by eating disorders and campaign on their behalf.

The 25-year-old then decided to brave her biggest fear head-on by doing the UK’s highest skydive in Durham on Saturday.

Zoe will be doing the skydive this Saturday (Image: Zoe Hodge)

Zoe, who has set up an online fund-raiser for the event, told the News: “I had anorexia and used this charity during the first Covid lockdown for help.

“They offered me one-to-one support through emails and chat rooms. It really helped me come out of a difficult time.

"I feel like this is my opportunity to give back to the charity and help others through the same situation.

“I think if I didn’t have that support it would have been even more difficult than what it was. I was given one person who would look after me.

"I couldn’t avoid my disorder during lockdown as there were no distractions, so that is why I reached out to Beat.”

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Zoe says the charity helped her to "rediscover her glow" - giving her the inspiration for her business name - and she now wants to give the same feeling to her customers.

She continued: “I am now a lot stronger and I am focusing on life. I am trying to do things I’ve always wanted to do and push myself to achieve them.

“My biggest fear is heights, but I wanted to push myself to do something uncomfortable for this incredible charity as a big thank you for everything they have done.

“I named my business Glow because I feel Beat helped me to get my glow back. They have transformed my life and now I want all my clients to glow when they leave the salon.

And the young entrepreneur showed her courage as she took to the skies above Durham for Saturday's big charity skydive.

She said: "It’s safe to say I definitely face my fear of heights. I have now raised £1385 for Beat which I am so grateful for.

"I am feeling extremely proud and still can’t believe I did it! One minute of free fall before the parachute went up but it was incredible. 

"I hope I can inspire others going through difficult situations to seek help and know there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I’m now pushing myself to do things I’d never thought I’d do because I realise how precious life can be.

She is hoping to raise money for the charity that helped her (Image: Zoe Hodge)

Zoe added: “I have had so many people in the community donate to my fundraiser which I did not expect. It has been so overwhelming, but amazing to reach that target.

“I cannot thank my family, friends, clients and community enough. They have all in their own way continued to support me and I am forever grateful to them.

“Never be embarrassed and feel like you can’t reach out for help. I think the pressure with social media has a big impact.

"You shouldn’t ever compare yourselves to something you see on the Internet. You should just be your authentic self because that is always enough.

"I have now raised £1,405 for Beat! Thanks to everyone who donated - I a now within the top 10% of fundraisers for Beat in September."

To support Zoe and her fundraiser visit her JustGiving page at justgiving.com/page/zoelouisehodge