Thanks for visiting the AYME M.E. Awareness Week Appeal page. Our focus for this years appeal is the severely affected. With some children waiting up to nine years for an assessment and specialist advice and support; this leads to some becoming housebound or bedbound with severe symptoms and secondary conditions such as osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency through lack of sunlight, depression and anxiety. With parents giving up work to become full-time carers, serious issues, such as spiraling household debt and managing disbelieving professionals, place an enormous strain on the whole family. All together, this can leave the whole family feeling lost and isolated with nowhere to turn. This is where AYME can make such a difference, providing understanding, friendship and support. We offer all our members free services, such as a bimonthly magazine, online message board and local contact groups. We also run an invaluable telephone helpline, which took roughly 2400 calls in the last year. The AYME website now has freely available information leaflets on all the most frequent questions, making the information quickly, easily and conveniently accessible for all. However, in some cases circumstances mean that individuals require more support and AYME strive to provide this through our National Support Worker. In the last year, our National Support Worker has been involved in providing practical and emotional support to families in the most desperate situations, as well as delivering presentations and training to professionals to increase understanding and awareness. It is this vital work that we are asking you to support this M.E. Awareness Week. By donating money, you will be helping those most in need. Thank you.