Rylan Clark-Neal, Vanessa Feltz and Michelle Visage donate £500 each to help reach £50k goal to fund BB star Nikki Grahame’s anorexia treatment
- Several fans and famous faces have stepped up to help the Big Brother star, with Rylan, Vanesa and Michelle all generously donating £500 each
- Nikki, 38, appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother UK in 2006
- She developed an eating disorder as a child
- Her two friends set up the fundraiser as they said she is in a very ‘bad way’ and it is the ‘only option left’
- For help and support with eating disorders contact SEED on (01482) 718130 or visit www.seedeatingdisorders.org.uk
Rylan Clark-Neal, Vanessa Feltz and Michelle Visage are among the celebrities who’ve donated money to Nikki Grahame’s appeal to help her get much needed specialist anorexia treatment.
On Friday, presenter Rylan, 32, called attention to a GoFundMe page – set up by Nikki’s two friends – to raise money for her to have specialist treatment as they said it is the ‘only option left’ after the condition left her in a very ‘bad way’.
And on Saturday it was revealed that several fans and famous faces have stepped up to help the Big Brother star, 38, with Rylan, Vanesa and Michelle all generously donating £500 each, reports The Sun.
Appeal: Rylan Clark-Neal, Vanessa Feltz and Michelle Visage are among the celebrities who’ve donated money to Nikki Grahame’s appeal to help her get much needed specialist anorexia treatment
Help: On Friday, presenter Rylan, 32, called attention to a GoFundMe page – set up by Nikki’s two friends – to raise money for her to have specialist treatment as they said it is the ‘only option left’ after the condition left her in a very ‘bad way’
The original target to raise was £25,000, but with Rylan’s help, the target was quickly surpassed, and a new target of £50,000 was set.
At the time of writing, supporters had so far raised over £45,000, with the number continuing to rise.
Rylan, who won Celebrity Big Brother 11, initially shared the appeal on Twitter, he said: ‘This is v hard to read but sharing with permission. If some of the family could help in any way I know it would be greatly appreciated. Sending love x.’ (sic)
However, he’s since deleted the post after some people suggested that the distressing pictures of Nikki on the page could be triggering.
Support: On Saturday it was revealed that several fans and famous faces have stepped up to help, with Rylan, Vanesa and Michelle all generously donating £500 each
Defending the post on Twitter, he wrote: ‘Few points. 1. Nik is a colleague I’ve worked with on BB, 2. Yes I’ve donated, 3. It’s not just about money it’s about showing how many people support her and want her well, giving her a reason to push herself to get help 4. Her close friends set this up . 5. Don’t be a d**khead.’
And then after deleting his original message, he later said: ‘I’ve removed the link it’s been shared now glad I could help in that small way and send all my love, understand the pictures can be stressing for some.
‘Just shows Twitter can be a very dark place at times. Off to watch a place in the sun and clean the shower head. Stay well.’
Rallying: Rylan initially appealed to his followers on Friday to help former Big Brother contestant Nikki after her battle with anorexia has left her in a very ‘bad way’
Oh no: However, he’s since deleted the post after some people suggested that the distressing pictures of Nikki on the page could be triggering
Defence: The TV presenter defended himself after receiving some unfortunate backlash to his original post
The original GoFundMe post read: ‘We have set up this page for our very close and dear friend Nikki. As some of you may know, Nikki is battling Anorexia.
‘She has been battling for most of her life and as you can see, Nikki is now in a very bad way so we need to do something quickly.
‘Over the past years Nikki’s family and friends have tried so desperately to get Nikki all the help possible through the NHS but unfortunately the treatments have failed and we have exhausted every avenue possible, and now Nik is unfortunately in a very bad way, this is now our last hope.
‘This is why we feel that getting her treatment in a specialist clinic is the only option left for her.’
They continued: ‘We are praying this gives her the chance of kicking this illness to the curb once and for all.
Hope: Her friends wrote: ‘She has been battling for most of her life and as you can see, Nikki is now in a very bad way so we need to do something quickly’
‘At the moment, Nikki constantly feels weak and is struggling on a day to day basis. She feels trapped and really wants to get better but feels like it’s impossible. It’s heart-breaking and we desperately just want a healthy and well Nikki back with us. She has no energy and is taking each day as it comes.
‘Mental health, as so many of you know, is debilitating in many ways. We want to help save our friend from letting this Illness beat her. If you are able to donate anything then we would be extremely grateful.’
Nikki appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother UK in 2006 and she developed an eating disorder as a child.
Plea: Rylan, who won Celebrity Big Brother 11, said on Twitter: ‘This is v hard to read but sharing with permission. If some of the family could help in any way I know it would be greatly appreciated. Sending love x’ (sic)
The GoFundMe page went on to explain why they decided to upload a harrowing picture of Nikki, revealing her current condition and figure.
They added: ‘Nikki has given permission for the creation of this page and is supporting it in the hope it enables her to access the special care and treatment she desperately needs.
‘We know the photos may be distressing but we felt it was important to show the severity of where Nikki is currently at.
‘The basic treatment Nikki has been receiving from the NHS is simply just not working for her so her only option now is to seek expensive intensive treatment at The Priory or a similar alternative facility alongside meticulous private therapy.
‘The above treatment and facility costs 25 thousand pounds per month and we believe this is her only option to provide the care and life saving treatment she needs.’ (sic)
A source close to Nikki told MailOnline: ‘It is with sadness we can confirm Nikki’s battle with anorexia has worsened in recent months and those closest to her are doing everything they can to assist with her recuperation, most notably in the form of a go fund me page.
‘We are confident Nikki will be able to make a full recovery and she would personally like to thank everyone for their kind words, wishes and donations today and beyond’.
As of Friday evening, the GoFundMe page has raised over £13,000 .
For help and support with eating disorders contact SEED on (01482) 718130 or visit www.seedeatingdisorders.org.uk
History: Nikki appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother UK in 2006 and she developed an eating disorder as a child
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