Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running the 2011 London Marathon to raise money for the ME Association.  The ME Association raises awareness, funds research and provides support and information for people with ME.

ME is classified by the Department of Health as a neurologoical disorder, it affects all age groups, and is twice as common as MS.  People with ME suffer from symptoms which include severely debilitating fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, sleep disturbance and pain. 

About 25% of people with ME are severely affected and as a result are house/bed bound.  This includes my wife Dawn who has been very poorly since 2004.  It is incredibly frustrating for Dawn to be unable to work or get out in the fresh air to walk the dogs or do the gardening..

Only a small number of people with ME return to pre-illness levels of health and most experience a significant degree of long term ill health and disability.

ME is an illness which is poorly understood.  Treatments currently available to relieve symptoms may help some, but not others or may make symptoms worse.  More research is needed to understand the causes and harmful effects of the illness.  Hopefully through biomedical research more effective treatments and a cure will be found.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.