We are running the Cheltenham Half Marathon to raise money for the ME Association to fund research into Chronic Fatigue.

Our 14-year-old son was fit an healthy, cycling to school daily, attending a fitness club, playing Warhammer, volunteering for a charity that supports disabled children, doing well academically. In October, he had a 'fluy cold. He recovered from the sniffles and his sore throat, but his energy levels kept deteriorating rapidly. His life and world has shrunk ever since. He was determined to keep going to school, but had to give up more and more lessons. "At least Biology, Mami. I'm not going to miss that!" By Christmas he was unable to leave the house. Since February he has barely left his room. In May he attended his friend's birthday party for 8 minutes. "That's non-negotiable. I'm going to go. No matter the backlash." The backlash came. For 3 weeks after, he's been barely able to speak. Still, he was happy he'd gone.

He is 15 now, and mostly bedbound. His illness prevents him from carrying out any type of activity. He can't watch TV, read or game, he can't chat to family or friends. He struggles to hold a conversation for more than 5 minutes.

There is no treatment or cure. Friends and family are left watching, feeling helpless. Let's get together and raise some money towards finding out how to help people like him get back to their lives!

Please help us to support people with ME and their families.

ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy), or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, blights the lives of 250,000 people in UK today. The smallest exertion can floor them; their joints and muscles ache unbearably; restful sleep eludes them; and ‘brain fog’ clouds their thinking. It changes lives drastically – disrupting study; making work impossible; and straining family relations to breaking point. Many sufferers cannot leave their homes. There is no known cure.

Please help us to help them.