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GREAT NEWS -

Ian has completed both of his walks - 

7th May Ian completed the Coastal Challenge 26 miles.

19th May he completed the Haltwhistle Challenge  - He completed this walk in just under 8 hours (in very muddy conditions) Ian knowcked 15 mins of last years time!!

Well done that man!! 

 

ME/CFS  -  An illness that could effect any one of us

ME is a debilitating illness which affects over 250,000 people in the UK alone, 25% of whom are totally housebound or bedbound. unable to cope with any noise, light and unable to feed themselves. 

Those with ME/CFS have had to fight against many in the Medical Profession for the illness to even be recognised, which it now thankfully is.

There is very little funding for ME/CFS and very few places sufferers  can go to for help and information on their illnesses. 

It is difficult to describe how this illness can devastate both the sufferer and their family. 

My wife has had this illness for 13 years now, before which she had a good career and social life, now if we manage to get out for a day in the car or we have visitors for the day, her illness worsens and she can be housebound for days or weeks mostly having to rest in bed.  This is not the future either of us had envisiged.

ME/CFS is very variable so sufferers do not know from day to day whether they will have the energy to get out of bed, have a shower or even make something to eat.  Imagine having to make the choice between having the energy to wash or get something to eat.

Friends and family can fall by the wayside as  the illness stretches on and on with no cure. 

Suffereres are only up to meeting up with people on their very good days, where the first comment is usually "You look well" an illness with a two edged sword, you feel dreadful but look good.  This makes it even more difficult for people to understand. 

Sufferers who are lucky enough to have people to care for them often feel the guilt of being a burden. not because of anything their carers say or do, just their own knowledge that this is not what their loved one signed up for. 

The illness is so debilitating it takes away your work, friends, social life, in short your independance.  Who would want that?

I want to raise both awareness of ME/CFS and raise money to help ME Research UK continue their hard work looking for the causes and hopefully a cure to this awful illness.

I will be doing 2 walks in May covering over 50 miles

The first is the Coastal Challenge with Shepards Walks which is 26 miles

The 2nd is the Haltwhistle Challenge which is 25 miles

Hopefully my wife will have a very good day and someone can bring her along to cheer me at the finishing line. 

If not then hopefully ME Research UK will find the cause/s and a cure can be found, then perhaps she can join me in the future.

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