A.N.T.S.
Adequate Nationwide Treatment for Sufferers
of Eating Disorders
ANTS march on Downing Street - Update
A.N.T.S. “March” - Weston-super-Mare to London
Friday 23rd to Monday 26th April 2004
The “Wash-up” Report
Well, we did it.
On behalf of ANTS I would like to thank Dr Phillips, the Governors, SMT, staff and students of Weston College for their generosity in supporting the “ANTS March to London” from Friday 23rd to Monday 26th April. Your financial support and encouragement enabled ANTS to undertake not only our first, but also the first ever, national project in the campaign for proper treatment for so many eating disorder sufferers throughout the UK.
I would also like to pay tribute to the team of intrepid, if slightly crazy people who went with me, without whom the “March” would have been impossible. They are indeed, both individually and collectively, truly courageous and absolute gems. It was both a pleasure and a privilege to be part of them.
The “March” was a huge success. We were able to raise a great deal of publicity on route, not to mention numerous eyebrows due to the distinctive ANTS T-shirts. Imagine seven people dressed in this way, standing around, cycling or walking past you! It was difficult to miss us and people’s curiosity gave us the ideal opportunity to engage them in conversation, which raised their awareness of the inadequate levels of treatment available to those with an eating disorder and the affects of such a condition on everyone else involved. We were also able to help people on a personal basis; in one place we met a mother who was worried about her 8-year-old daughter’s attitude to food and body image. The “March” enabled us to make contact with several others with an interest in what we are doing. These will, hopefully, lead to partnerships in the future. What was surprising, in addition to the number of others affected by eating disorders, was the level of support for our campaign. Wherever we went we received a positive, encouraging response.
At Hyde Park we met a First Group bus driver whose sister had died of anorexia. She was only 24 years old, had weighed nine and a half stone before her illness but only four stone three pounds at the time of her death. We did not ask how recent this was; his sorrow and bitterness was heartbreakingly obvious to us all.
Representatives from the Grimsby and North Lincolnshire Eating Disorders Support Group joined ANTS at Hyde Park. I am grateful to them for travelling so far to show their support and commitment for those who suffer from eating disorders and their families. I suppose it is only when such a devastating, destructive illness comes to “live” with you that you realise the true scale of the problem. Ignorance is such bliss but I should not be too critical, I was one of those people a lifetime ago!
At one o’clock we set off for Downing Street via the scenic route, a skill I perfected whilst we were at Reading! When we arrived there was a surprise in store. Ethne Rudd’s granddaughter and family had come to meet her there. The first we knew was when Ethne gave a shriek of delight and, despite sore feet, flew forward to greet them. The police officer at the gates to Downing Street was very helpful and allowed Ethne, her granddaughter and our very own “David Bailey”, aka Paul Vaughan, to go to Number 10 as well. It was very satisfying to be able raise the knocker at Number 10, “rattle Tony Blair’s cage” and present our petitions. In total we had collected nearly 1500 signatures.
There was no invitation to enter for tea and biscuits but we were not too disappointed as we had two invitations to the House of Parliament. Whilst waiting for our escort we were able to talk to the police officers at the entrance. They were left with ample information, booklets and cards. Valerie Davey, MP for Bristol North, who gave us all a very warm, genuine welcome, met us. After a guided tour of some of the beautiful, historic rooms and corridors, where we saw familiar scenes only previously seen on television, we were able to take advantage of the amenities before being escorted on to the terrace overlooking the Thames for tea and biscuits. Valerie Davey and Brian Cotter, MP for Weston-super-Mare, hosted us until they had to leave at 3.30 for other duties. We stayed on with their press officers who had been asked to take notes for future action. It was agreed that a joint Early Day Motion would be presented to the House, for which they would gain the support of others; they would find out a number of answers, facts and research information for us, with the aim of increasing pressure for the proper implementation of the NICE “Eating Disorder Guidelines”. Much later than expected, we left the House of Parliament at 4.30. It was then time to return to Kew Bridge, pick up our vehicles and return to Weston. It was about midnight when the last person was dropped off at their home.
Stop press: The Early Day Motion, EDM 1078 TREATMENT FOR SUFFERERS OF EATING DISORDERS, was tabled in Parliament on 28th April and can be found at http://edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=1078.
There is a letter here on the ANTS website that you can send to your MP urging him/her to support EDM 1078. Come on, now it is your turn to help, print one off, send it in and get everyone you know to do the same. You can "Fax your MP" the letter from that page too! We need 150+ MP’s to sign the EDM, 200+ would be better. 1.15 million eating disorder sufferers, plus carers, plus families, plus relatives, friends, work colleagues, NHS professionals etc. How many millions of people now? Go on, do it now, everyone in the family send their own letter. Let’s create a “blizzard!” It has been done before and has forced the subject to be debated in the House. It is not easy but we CAN do it. It’s your lives at stake too.
Although the purpose was serious it was not all “work”. It was also a very enjoyable experience, during which there was a great deal of laughter, banter and camaraderie. During the day we had “Radio Ethne”, “updates every hour, on the hour”, “songs for cyclists” and what I think was “mouse impressions” during the cycling on Saturday, mainly on the bumpy bits of road! In the evenings “Radio Ethne” ceased to transmit and “Ethnevision” entertained the group, much to the delight of all. However, on Sunday evening a new station, “Trippavision”, made a serious attempt at capturing the ratings; it was a close call. The weather was perfect every day. Just as well because it made the six mile walk to the nearest hostelry, which was only half a mile away, enjoyable and my “scenic tours” of Reading and Hyde Park to be good-naturedly forgiven. I was reminded of the kind of unity I have not experienced since my RAF days.
Despite emailing details on a regular basis to every newspaper, radio and television station almost everywhere; there was no media coverage when we arrived at Downing Street. Come on folks, I cannot believe that you are all unaware of the scale of destruction, misery, devastation and needless deaths that are caused by the inadequate, ineffective treatment for eating disorders caused by the lack of funding. Even if the efforts of ANTS did not deserve a mention, surely those who are dying as a result of the lack of proper treatment deserve to have their voices heard.
Or do they not deserve the same quality of life that you take for granted?
I am grateful to the Weston & Worle News and the Weston & Somerset Mercury for their support prior to the “March”. Our sincere thanks to Dr Jill Welbourne, a former member of the Bristol Eating Disorder Team and expert in the treatment of eating disorders, for coming to see us off and providing the professional expertise that we lack. Also to HTV West and the Bristol Evening Post for covering our departure on the Friday. HTV West ran the story all day on Friday and again on Monday morning; as was reported to us on the Underground that evening, and the Bristol Evening Post’s, Andy White, who did a splendid report on Monday too. You certainly all lead by example!
Finally, I would like to express my personal gratitude to all those who supported us in so many ways. To the “Team” I can say I am justifiably proud of what you have achieved, individually and collectively. To quote from the front page of this website, “I acknowledge that I am unable to achieve the objective alone but together we CAN do the job. We can work smarter not harder, and like the ANTS in Madagascar, we will succeed.” Together we have achieved the very first national campaign to fight for the rights of those with eating disorders to have an acceptable, adequate level of medical care; to prevent the deaths that occur because of this and to alleviate the devastation that is caused to everyone affected by eating disorders. You have raised the awareness of the general public as well as taking the fight to the politicians. Congratulations and thank you.
In May ANTS will be one year old. Last weekend may have been our first major event but it will not be the last! In June, ANTS will be participating in the “Biggest Bristol Bike Race” on Sunday 13th June. We will be raising much-needed funds to continue the fight and raising awareness of the plight of those with eating disorders and their families. Again from the ANTS website, “If you feel as strongly as we do then MAKE A DIFFERENCE – JOIN US!”
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"This website is a vital tool
for those who may feel lost or alone, carers and sufferers alike,
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put simply, save the life of someone they love."
Brian Cotter MP, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare 1997-2005.
