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Jemma Marshall raised £2,645 from 82 supporters
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Closed 30/11/2016
Weʼve raised £2,645 to support the Oxford Chronic Fatigue Service, which has been a huge support to me throughout my ongoing recovery
- Funded on Wednesday, 30th November 2016
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Story
18 months ago I went from being a healthy, ambitious 23 year old to someone who needed a wheelchair to get out. I was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). I was left feeling helpless and hopeless.
Thanks to the love and support of my family, friends and the Oxford CFS Service, I’ve taken some control and I’m turning it around. On Saturday the 12th November I am going to climb Everest; my Everest. I am going to run 5k.
At my worst I was sleeping 18 hours a day, walking up the stairs felt like hiking up a mountain and I needed a wheelchair for days out. I was trapped inside a body and brain that had completely shut down. It’s hard to describe how overwhelming the feeling of fatigue was. The simplest over increase in activity, such as coffee with a friend, could take days to recover from.
In September 2015, I was officially diagnosed with CFS and was referred to the Oxford CFS Service. In my first appointment my physio told me exactly what I needed to hear, ‘You will get better’.
My first goal was to be able to walk for half an hour by gradually increasing my exercise, and 11 months after first falling ill, I achieved it!
In February I decided that my next goal was to run 5k. With very small steps and a lot of patience I can now run and I’m on track to be able to run 5k in November.
While I still have a long way to go, I have come so far and want to celebrate that. At the same time, I would like to raise some money to give back to the Oxford CFS Service, who are currently looking to raise money to make a film about their service so that they can give other people some hope and support.
All too often people with CFS are portrayed as having little hope of recovery and unable to influence the course of their disease. This was devastating to read, but fortunately this has not been my experience. So please share my story in the hope that it will encourage someone else who is faced with the uncertainty of a diagnosis of CFS.
Updates
4
- 7 years ago
Jemma Marshall
7 years agoThank you so much for your very generous donations and lovely messages of support. I've been blown away by everyone's generosity. My initial target was £250 and we've well and truly smashed that so thank you! I may still have a long way to go to be back to full health and able to work full time but this was the perfect way to celebrate how far I’ve come and has given me confidence that I can and will get there! Thank you again for all your support – it has meant the world. Lots of love, Jem xxx
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- 8 years ago
Jemma Marshall
8 years agoI DID IT! In 33 minutes and 17 seconds! Thank you all so much for the very generous donations! I can't believe how much I've raised!! I had such a brilliant day with my amazing friends and family. I'm feeling very loved! The torrential rain even paused for us! Thank you! xxx
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- 8 years ago
Jemma Marshall
8 years agoThank you so much for the lovely donations and messages! I can't believe I've hit my target again and so quickly!! So I'm going to increase it yet again! I cannot thank you all enough!! xxx
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- 8 years ago
Jemma Marshall
8 years agoThank you so much to everyone who has donated so far! Having already reached my target of £500 with a few weeks to go, I'm going to increase it and hopefully raise even more money to help the Oxford CFS Service! My training is going well - I ran almost 4km yesterday (the furthest I've run so far!) Thank you again for all you super generous donations and kind messages - it means so much! x
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Jemma Marshall started crowdfunding
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Supporters
82
Frances Spurrier
Nov 29, 2016
A great achievement. Very well done.
£30.00
Alex Lacey
Nov 27, 2016
I am so glad you posted again on facebook as I have been meaning to do this for ages, well done Jem you are amazing! And an example of positivity and resiliance for us all x x x x
£30.00
Ruth Bryson
Nov 26, 2016
£10.00
Clare James
Nov 26, 2016
Well done Jemma - you should feel very proud of yourself xxx
£5.00
James Spurrier
Nov 25, 2016
Well done champ! Amazing achievement. Wishing you all the very best. James
£30.00
Nerys Nicholls
Nov 25, 2016
£5.00
June clarke
Nov 25, 2016
well done you xx
£25.00
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About CrowdfundingAbout the fundraiser
Jemma Marshall
In February 2015 I fell very ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It has been a very slow recovery process but as I am getting better, I want to raise some money for the service that helped me and increase awareness of this debilitating illness.