Hi my name is Carol Youngs and I am running the Great North Run on 8th September 2024.

I am raising funds for the M.E. Association.

This is why…….

My son Phil is 37, has a degree, owned his own house, had a job, wrote and performed stand up comedy, was in a choir, played tennis and football. However, even though he was trying to live life to the full, he was already ill.

At first, he was misdiagnosed with depression and had his mental health blamed for how he was feeling. This is the story of the vast majority of people with M.E. and people with Long Covid are now experiencing the same.

It took years for his family, friends and the medical professionals to understand what was wrong. When he was finally diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, his life had already begun to crumble.

He had to sell his house, give up his job and his plans. His hopes and dreams were cancelled!

He now lives with chronic pain, is physically disabled, has persistent migraines and ever present, relentless, fatigue and brain fog.

Due to lack of knowledge and underfunded research, the NHS offers little to help.

Research into ME/CFS/Long Covid is crucial.

The ME Association raises money for Biomedical Research and supports ME sufferers and their families.

Please help them to do this vital work by sponsoring my run.

Your contribution will enable research into this life changing, devastating illness.

Thank you from me,Phil and other ME sufferers.