Thank you SO much for supporting my marathon campaign for ME Research UK.  When I launched the campaign back at the start of May, I could not have dreamt that I would raise over £7,500, and that my awareness video would have been viewed by nearly 6,000 people.  I have been overwhelmed by the kind messages of support that have accompanied the donations and also circulated via social media; it has been a truly memorable time in my life.

I am so proud to let you know that I completed the marathon in Edinburgh on Sunday 31st May, in a time of 03:28:59, finishing 868th out of 7,184 competitors. 

I am so proud to have completed my first marathon, but I am even more proud to have been able to raise so much money and awareness for ME, and to have connected with so many different people along the way.  This has been an amazing journey, and an incredibly special time in my life, one that I will never forget.

As part of our trip, we also got to meet the team at the ME Research UK headquarters in Perth.  This was a special moment, and was great to see where they are based and hear about the work they are doing.  I know that the money raised will be of great use to them, and hopefully, it won’t be long before positive steps are made towards finding out the causes and potential cures for this terrible illness.

Thank you so much once again for kindly supporting me.  It means so much, and you really were there with me every step of the journey!

Original Message

On the 31st May 2015, I will be running the Edinburgh marathon, to raise funds and awareness for ME Research UK, a cause that is very close to my heart.

My sister Naomi has suffered from ME for over 25 years, since the age of 12.  She has had to endure many years of intense suffering, confined to the same four walls at home, relying on 24-hour care.  Alongside the suffering, she has been deprived of so many things we all take for granted in our lives; going to school, university, getting a job, socialising with friends, starting a family, and so much more.

ME affects around 250,000 (1 in 250) people in the UK, but to this day, very little is known about it and it is still incredibly misunderstood.  It is unknown as to exactly what causes it, though research shows that the brain and immune system are affected. There is no known cure.  It breaks my heart to see what Naomi has to go through on a daily basis, and there is little I can do for her as a brother, apart from just being there for her and trying to make her laugh!

One way I feel I can try to make a difference, is by raising awareness of ME and also money towards research, in the hope that one day soon, a cure can be found for this terrible illness.

Many of you will know that two years ago I trained to complete the 2013 Loch Ness marathon, falling two weeks short after suffering with Peroneal Tendonitis in my left ankle.  My journey to come back from that injury to this point has been an incredibly challenging one for me, but one that I know is nothing in comparison to the everyday challenges faced by ME sufferers. They struggle to undertake routine tasks, such as sitting up in bed, talking to a friend for five minutes, or having the curtains open to let in some light.

I would like to thank everyone who so kindly sponsored me back in 2013, and helped me to raise a staggering £1,963.20.  I am honoured that since then, I have been asked to be an Ambassador for ME Research UK.

I would be so grateful if you were able to make a donation.

More information about ME can be found via this link:

http://www.meresearch.org.uk/what-is-me/