Local Heroes Are Rewarded for Helping and Inspiring Others in the Community ; Caroline Jones Finds Out What Makes Our 14 Fantastic Community Champions Winners Worthy of Reward and Official Recognition.

Derby Evening Telegraph › May 18, 2010

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Summary

COURAGE AWARD Catherine Cleary WHEN it comes to tackling eating disorders, Catherine Cleary has a wealth of experience based on her own personal battles.

Four generations of her family have suffered from food-related issues, as she herself did as a teenager.

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Extract

Local Heroes Are Rewarded for Helping and Inspiring Others in the Community ; Caroline Jones Finds Out What Makes Our 14 Fantastic Community Champions Winners Worthy of Reward and Official Recognition.

When the 44-year-old won her own personal fight with the disorder, she decided to face it once again by setting up charity First Steps Derby.

It has helped more than 600 people with food-related illnesses since it opened in 2004. Catherine has been a volunteer for her charity, and the driving force behind it.

It has grown and developed over the years and now runs support groups, drama therapy classes and yoga sessions, among other activities, for the people it supports.

Catherine, who lives off Duffield Road, Derby, said: "People feel eating disorders are a lifestyle choice, a diet gone wrong or some form of vanity but it is much more serious."

She was nominated for the award by Gabriela Nicol, whose son received help fr...

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