A former eating disorder patient has raised money for the children and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) at the Royal Free Hospital. 

Nina Martynchyk has raised £712.47 for the Royal Free Hospital, at a conference about eating disorders in children and young people in September. 

Nina, who has struggled with anorexia since she was 13, lost her mother to cancer and was admitted to the eating disorders unit at the Royal Free Hospital in 2013. During the first six weeks of her stay, Nina saw her foster care placement break down and was supported by the kindness of the nurses and staff at the Royal Free Hospital. 

Nina said “I started to raise this money because I wanted to show how thankful I am to the staff at the hospital. For about six weeks they were there for me when everything was falling apart. They never left me alone and took me out to help with my recovery. 

“I was so surprised by the kindness of people who all donated money to my cause at the eating disorders conference. My friends, former patients and staff at the Royal Free London (RFL) all came along to help. 

“I have known the team at the Royal Free Hospital for about eight years, so this is my way of saying thank you for everything that they have done for me.”

Samantha Swinglehurst MBE, lead nurse specialist for CAMHS, said “Nina has an amazing story. She is incredibly brave and has worked so hard to raise this money. We’re going to put it to a vote so that the children can decide how we should spend the donation. It will be so helpful around Christmas time for the children and we are so thankful to Nina. It is great to see how far she has come.” 

ENDS

Image from left to right: Elizabeth Anscombe, child and adolescent psychotherapist, Nina's foster mother, Teresa Pacchiega, systemic psychotherapist, Victoria Chapman, consultant, Samantha Swinglehurst MBE, lead nurse specialist, Nina Martynchyk and Darren Cutina, conultant.   

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About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.