Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As some of you know, I went down with ME during the summer of 2006. Like so many others, much of my former social life & ability to work has been put on hold due to a variety of different symptoms, of which being mentally & physically tired is just one of many, and the most widely stereotyped by the media. Full symptoms include:

http://www.meassociation.org.uk/?page_id=1685#features

Despite this, I consider myself fortunate in that I've been blessed with understanding parents & family, and a great circle of friends. Many are not so lucky and lose family & friends through absolutely no fault of their own. Many are made to feel like 'benefit scrounging' crooks, despite the fact that many were working for years before becoming ill. Many of a younger age are not able to do the things many take for granted like attend school, college or university. Or have a social life. Or a career. Or a romantic relationship. Some cannot leave their beds without help. Worse of all, there are thousands who are not getting the help, understanding & empathy which should be the right of every human being on the planet in a civilised society. Nobody wants to be ill...

The number of those going down with ME are on the rise.

Things can only change & begin to move forwards if more people are aware of this debilitating condition, and more funding is provided for research into the varying causes, and potential cures.

May 6th-12th 2013 is ME Awareness Week. Along with many other volunteers, sufferers and friends/family members up and down the country, I'll be doing a walk with my parents & sister on either the 6th or 7th May. In our case it'll be around the fields at the back of our house here for one mile. I daresay a few rest stops will need to be made en-route, but I promise to achieve it. I hope some of you will consider donating to reach (or exceed - crossed fingers!) my fundraising target of £100.

Update: We will also walking on behalf of Germaine Hypher, a dear friend who has been suffering with ME since childhood.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now - pretty please ;)

Thank you for taking the time to read this, it's appreciated!

John May.