Thanks for taking the time to visit this JustGiving page.

This cycling challenge has given me an opportunity to raise awareness for a disease that is ever present in my life and is suffered by more than 1.25m people in the UK, with many more left undiagnosed. There are no approved NHS treatments at this time, even since this condition was brought to the attention of the medical profession in 1955. This illness is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Furthermore, Long Covid - which relates aetiologically, has an almost identical disease profile and affects two million people in the UK. Funding research into one, will therefore support the other.

My eldest son, Arun has ME/CFS. He is 24 years old and has ambitions to pursue an academic life in physics, maths and engineering. He completed his physics degree in 2021 with a bright future ahead, so it seemed. After his second vaccination for Covid-19 we saw a slow decline in his health affecting his physical strength, mobility, energy levels and mental health. He decided to move back home from London when after 6 months he knew his health was not improving, and since 2022 he has lived with me so that I can care for him and ensure he has the best environment to help stabilise and manage his symptoms.

Many people like Arun have had their wings clipped by this debilitating disease whose symptoms can vary day to day. Some days are bed bound, others are limited to 1000 steps, small exertions can lead to phenomenal energy crashes and serious pain. This is a life with limited freedom of choice.

The ME Association provides valued support to sufferers of this disease so that no one with ME/CFS is alone, and also fund biomedical research including the UK ME/CFS Biobank, to better understand what causes and perpetuates these diseases, and in the hope that effective treatments can be found.

In April I am participating in a 1000 mile spin bike challenge with a team from the Body Happy Gym in Lewes who are very kindly supporting this event, where I personally hope to complete 100 miles over the day.

I would be very grateful if you could support me to help raise funds so that the ME Association can continue with the commendable work they do. Your gift, of any amount, will help towards a brighter and more mobile future for people with ME/CFS today and in the future.

Thank you!