The original idea of One Day One Pound by Ruth Gilchrist supported by Louise Cairns was for as many people as possible to donate £1 to Invest in ME Research on ME Awareness Day 12th May.  

It developed into a monthly £1 fundraiser on the 1st of each month with an image created by Julia Cottam.

From 31st March 2019 there is no option to text just £1, but this page remains open for donations of any amount from £2. 

Your donation will help the charity Invest in ME Research to fund high quality biomedical research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) to establish tests & treatments for ME via their UK Centre of Excellence for ME initiative.

ME is a disease that can affect people of all ages, even very young children.  It has been classified as neurological by the World Health Organisation since 1969 (WHO ICD-10 G93.3) along with post-viral fatigue syndrome.

ME was first defined in the 1950s following an outbreak at the London Royal Free Hospital: myalgic refers to muscle (pain/weakness) encephalomyeltis means inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. 

ME is usually of sudden onset, can range from mild to very severe, can fluctuate over time, with phases of relapse and remission, or take a more progressive form. Full recovery is rare - we want to change that.   

The hallmark of ME is a marked worsening of symptoms following even minor exertion, mainly poor muscle recovery but also described by international experts as 'post-exertional neuro-immune exhaustion' (PENE) or post-exertional malaise (PEM) and as 'systemic exertion intolerance' by the USA's Academy of Medicine. 

ME can affect almost every system in the body and organs including the heart as well as the brain.  Many patients suffer for years on end, some losing their childhood and youth to the ravages of this disease.

There is still no universal thumbprint diagnostic test, no cure, and few treatments available for symptoms, leaving doctors at a loss as to how help their patients and with often dire consequences for patients and their families.  

It's about time this changed and we are determined to make sure that happens - we now have an international community of world class researchers willing to help us and they need our help to fund their vital work. 

Donating through JustGiving is easy, fast and safe. They’ll send your money directly to the charity and will make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. 

Invest in ME Research charity's website is www.investinme.org 

This fundraising page was created via the Let's Do It for ME campaign  www.ldifme.org in support of Invest in ME Research. 

Thank-you for your support!