I am doing 24 miles a week (running/walking) for every week in May to raise money for the ME Association in memory of my best friend Merryn on her 24th birthday. 

May is a really significant and emotional month for everyone who cared about Merryn as it marks three years since she died after 6 years of fighting Very Severe ME. This would also be Merryn’s 24th birthday and ME awareness month. 

Merryn was the most selfless, caring, fun-loving person you could meet and brought life to any room. She loved her family and friends and she loved her life. She never stopped laughing and when we were together she loved to laugh at me for anything and everything, including our shared hatred of exercise - so I know she would approve of me trying to run these distances for ME.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) is one of the most life-changing yet misunderstood and underfunded illnesses. It stole everything from Merryn, piece by piece. First it took her energy, then her ability to walk or talk, then her dreams of going to college and becoming a performer, then her ability to go out with friends or even go outside, her hopes of getting better, growing old or having a family of her own, her ability to sit up, shower, eat, have visitors, to cuddle her family, to tolerate any small amount of light, sound or touch. For years she was confined to lying in her bed in unimaginable pain in the dark. Through the darkest days, she continued to fundraise and support others every step of the way to try and fund awareness and research into this horrible illness and now in her memory I will try to do the same. 

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.