In aid of ME Research UK, we are walking 100 km of the John Muir Way in May this year to coincide with ME Awareness week in memory of our youngest son, Andrew, who was one of the 25% of ME sufferers who are severely affected.

Andrew, from early childhood, was always 'on the go'. He tried out every sport imaginable and usually excelled at them. Football, however, was his passion and he loved training with and playing for various local teams. He was a fearless defender and liked nothing better than stopping a striker in his tracks. At school Andrew took part in The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and in 6th year achieved his Gold Award. No mean feat. 

In 2013 Andrew achieved his dream of getting into Edinburgh University to study genetics. This was a very happy time for him as he loved his course, especially lab work and he loved living in Edinburgh. He spent his time studying, working part time and cycling everywhere - usually in shorts, summer and winter.

However, this was all to change when towards the end of his second year he contracted some kind of virus - probably glandular fever. He never fully recovered from this and was eventually diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or M.E. (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).  He managed to complete his third year of university before M.E. really began to take hold. In August 2017, Andrew had to leave the course that he loved and come home. 

By then he was suffering from the most incredible fatigue that could never be relieved and it affected his cognitive functioning and memory as well. Unfortunately, the disease progressed in severity resulting in Andrew becoming  house bound and then almost bed bound. He was so brave, determined and uncomplaining but there are some things that can't be beaten. M.E. eventually affected his sense of smell with strong smells giving him headaches. He couldn't stand the light and so lived in darkness. His sense of hearing became hyper acute so that he couldn't bear the slightest sound without it causing him pain. He eventually progressed to constant muscle pain and excruciating migraines. His appetite became affected and it also became difficult to chew and swallow - he didn’t have the energy. Eventually it even became too difficult for him to speak.

His previously full and active life had become but a memory for him. Doctors couldn’t help and eventually, on 16th March 2019, he lost his fight to this terrible illness: ME/CFS. 

"....doctors do not treat us and science does not study us. How could a disease this common and this devastating have been forgotten by medicine?" Jennifer Brea

ME Research UK believes that only biomedical research can find the causes of ME/CFS, improve diagnosis and treatment, and, ultimately, arrive at a cure. That’s why research is their focus. They've awarded 48 grants since 2000 and invested over £1.5million. But research is expensive and becoming more so every day. Please support this worthy cause.