Team Carrier is taking on the Manchester Marathon again this year and their chosen charity is ME Research.

ME, full name Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, is a debilitating illness that affects more than a quarter of a million people in the UK. It is often also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

We have chosen this charity, as Abi, the cousin of one of our runners, has suffered from ME for nearly 30 years.

This has been a life affecting illness for Abi. Suddenly going from an active 23-year-old, who took part in a lot of sports and regularly walked in the Peaks and across the Pennine Way. Abi picked up a virus whilst on holiday which has led to ME. ME is often triggered by an initial virus which the sufferer never recovers from. Any of us that have experienced a virus or true flu will understand the feeling of overwhelming fatigue, aches and pains, headaches, nausea etc. Together with a multitude of other symptoms, that has been Abi’s every day for almost three decades.

Sadly, Abi’s ME is one of the most severe. She requires carers three times a day to help with everyday activities that we all take for granted, such as getting dressing and washing our hair. She's housebound, as she can't leave the house without someone to push her wheelchair. However, this is an improvement from the fifteen years she previously spent bed-bound.

Although some people do recover and some show improvement, at present there is no cure. More funding is desperately needed to aid studies in the hopes that one day a cure will be found. The primary aim of ME Research UK is to fund high-quality biomedical research into the causes, consequences and treatment of ME.

As a team we are again running a mixture of distances. A full marathon, a half marathon or a 4-person relay. We hope you will sponsor us and help us support this amazing charity.

Thank you,

Rick Milne, Liz Goodwin, Rebecca Hosler, Leila Kosma, Merridith Lewis-George, Antra Bovkuna, Ben Whitehead, Basczia Carmichael, Cathy Bohan, Michelle Dempsey, Rea Griffin