KERRY Carruthers, who created a support group for family members and carers of individuals suffering from eating disorders, has been nominated for an award.

Kerry, from Whitehaven, has been nominated for the volunteer champion award at the Diverse Cumbria Awards.

The Diverse Cumbria Awards were set up to celebrate and reward those working to make a difference in equality, diversity and inclusion within Cumbria.

Kerry set up the group in November 2019 as her daughter was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in 2017 and she found there was no support available for families of those suffering from the disease.

The sessions aim to provide free peer-to-peer support meetings via Zoom or face-to-face for people suffering with eating disorders.

The group is currently going from strength to strength. The Zoom sessions mean those who cannot drive or want to join the group from outside Whitehaven can do so; there is currently a parent from the North East who dials into the virtual sessions.

Kerry spoke about her recent nomination, saying: "I was so shocked when I received the email telling me that I had been shortlisted.

"I don’t know who nominated me but I would just like to say a big THANK YOU for the nomination and I am so humbled."

Kerry mentioned the total and utter shock the news gave her. She thought it was a hoax at first but once she received notification that it was genuine she was incredibly grateful.

Kerry mentioned what this means for her personally, saying: "I never expected to be nominated for doing something that I am so passionate about.

"The fact that I receive no funding from anyone other than myself makes it worthwhile to know that I am able to provide some support whether it be in person, text or virtually to at least one person who is trying to understand the complexities of supporting someone who is struggling with an eating disorder."

Furthermore, Kerry hopes this nomination gives some publicity to the support group and allows people to know that there is a safe and confidential support group out there where people attend who have some understanding of what it is like to help a loved one who is dealing with an eating disorder - without any judgement.

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