Hi, I`m Al, I live in Edinburgh and I ran the BUPA Great Edinburgh 10k Run on 4th May 2008 to raise funds for The Association of Young People With ME www.ayme.org.uk  . I was delighted with my time of 53m 23s..a new Personal Best! Training included The Edinburgh Half Marathon Relay & The Meadows 5K. I also just ran in The Hairy Haggis Relay at the Edinburgh Marathon and supported  AYME at this.

My daughter Kirsty was diagnosed with ME/CFS in late 2006. As a family we started to notice a difference in Kirsty during the late summer of 2006. She was constantly exhausted, always had terrible aches and pains, and seemed to want to sleep most of the time. This was in stark contrast to the lively 16 year old who, just a few months earlier, had walked for miles around London (a city she loves) during a short break there, played tennis and generally enjoyed her life.
When she took very ill the day before she was due to go on a school trip to London in October 2006, we knew that somehow we had to try and identify what was going on. Appointments with her GP followed, and meetings were arranged with a specialist consultant at our local hospital. When Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was identified as the most probable cause of Kirsty`s illness, we started to carry out research to learn more about ME. 
The last 18 months have seen a few highs and many lows. Kirsty was only able to attend her final year at school for a few hours each week but now attends Strathclyde University in Glasgow which is hugely positive. She still has to closely control her activities as the fatigue, headaches and muscle pains are never far away. The big difference is  Kirsty now concentrates on what she can achieve , not what she cannot, and realises that there are no easy answers to how long she may be affected. Throughout this time, AYME has provided great support.
AYME is dedicated to the cheerful and practical support of children and young people with ME and their families. Membership is free so AYME relies on fundraising events such as mine to keep its vital services running.ME is a painful, disabling and isolating illness which affects an estimated 25,000 children and young people across the UK. Symptoms include extreme pain and fatigue in the muscles to the point of collapse, weakened immune systems, severe cognitive problems and many more. ME can leave children and young people who should be bursting with life and energy wheelchair or even bed-bound for many years. Most are unable to attend school or even study at home, friends disappear and brothers and sisters find the illness hard to understand. Many young sufferers lose their confidence, self-esteem and sense of purpose. AYME is their lifeline.

Thanks so much for visiting my page  and for any donations you are able to make.