By Helen Hyland, Fundraising Manager, ME Association.
On Monday, Antje Rook and her two canine companions, Ghwyny and Anwyn, set out to conquer the Isle of Portland to help raise donations for M.E. research.
She was doing it, not for herself, but for her friend, Tara, who has suffered from this debilitating disease for several years.
Antje says:
“Tara’s life has drastically changed.
“From an active, working, energetic person, she has turned into a fragile woman, who sometimes can't leave the house for weeks, sometimes can't even get up for days; she sometimes has not the energy to eat or to do anything.
“She can never commit to anything or plan anything, because it could be a day where she has to stay in bed.
“Apart from terrible tiredness and exhaustion, she has lots of other symptoms, like migraine, insomnia, ‘brain fog', infections and more. Although her life is really difficult, she is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met, she copes amazingly and is always happy and balanced. She tries to find pleasure in the small things of life and to make the most of every day.”
Antje says that she wanted to raise money for research into M.E. ideally to help find a cure… “Because I want my friend to be able to have a normal life again.”
I caught up with Antje on Tuesday to ask how it went and she said that it all went very well. She is a little footsore this morning but had wonderful weather yesterday for her walk.
She was pleased to be sent off by her friend Tara, and other people joined her for short distances along the route. She says that she even got donations from people she met on her way.
Her walk ended at a café where she was welcomed by friends, and presented with full collection box from the café. She tells us that it was a perfect day!!
Thank you Antje for all you have done for people with M.E. and for the ME Association.
The ME Association
We help people with M.E. and their families.
If you would like show your support for our vital work then please donate whatever you can afford to our ME Awareness Week Just Giving campaign – Go BLUE for ME.
Help us continue to make the UK a better place for people with M.E.
Thank you.