A WEDMORE woman is in the running to win a £10,000 grant to help people with eating disorders – but needs your vote.

Jane Smith supported two of her daughters through anorexia and in 2004 set up the Anorexia Bulimia Care’s befriending service, which supports families affected by an eating disorder via the telephone or email.

Now cosmetic giant Avon has shortlisted Jane in its Hello Tomorrow Fund 2011, along with five other finalists from across the country. Jane said she was delighted to be shortlisted and the money could make a real difference to the charity, which receives thousands of calls each month.

She said: “I speak to around 2,000 people a year personally. The £10,000 grant from Avon would make a real difference to my wish to develop an Anorexia Bulimia Care’s befriending service. I ask local people to vote for our project now and help make my dream a reality.”

Jane’s daughters suffered eating disorders aged 11 and 13, but have since fully recovered.

Jane said: “Our whole world turned upside down. We were a happy, loving family and then we were suddenly plunged into a nightmare. You can’t force someone to eat against their will.

“Our 11-year-old lost a third of her body weight over eight weeks and had to be tube fed for two weeks, for 24 hours a day.”

She now wants to make parents and people working with children aware of eating disorders so they can spot the signs early.

As Avon celebrates its 125th anniversary, the company’s said its commitment to improving women’s lives remains as strong as ever. It will donate a total of £30,000 to grass root charities which help to create a better tomorrow for women in the UK.

The 2011 shortlist was chosen by a high profile judging panel of leading UK female role models, including: Group Vice President of Avon WEMEA, Anna Segatti; editor of Glamour magazine, Jo Elvin; business entrepreneur, Karren Brady and TV presenter, Claudia Winkleman.

Group Vice President of Avon WEMEA and judge, Anna Segatti said: “Jane’s inspirational initiative really stood out within the applications we received this year.”

• To vote for Jane visit avonhellotomorrowfund.com. The online voting will run from 5 September 2011 to 2 October 2011. Winners will be announced in the January 2012 issue of Glamour Magazine, on sale in December 2011. For more information about Avon’s Hello Tomorrow Fund visit avon.uk.com/PRSuite/hellotomorrowfund.page

* To find out more about the charity, call 03000 11 12 13 or visit http://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/