A 17-year-old who can’t imagine life without going out for a run, playing football or meeting up with friends has entered Britain’s most popular half marathon because his older sister can do none of those.
Harry Bromley will be running in the Great North Run on 8th September – the biggest physical challenge of his life so far – for his sister Isobel, who has had ME for more than half her life.
Harry, from Selby in North Yorkshire – seen ‘low-fiving' Sir Mo Farah at the start of the Junior North Run – has picked the ME Association as his chosen charity.
“I have previously taken part in the Junior North Run, 5K parkruns and 10k roadraces but this is my first half marathon,” he wrote on his fundraising page.
“This is definitely my biggest challenge yet.”
“Therefore, I have decided to dedicate this run to a cause close to my heart; I am running to raise money for the ME Association. My older sister, Isobel, who is 24 years old, has suffered with ME since she was 11 years old. She has now lived longer with ME!”
Harry – a member of the Selby-based Vale of York Athletic Community – tells us that Isobel went down with a series of throat infections, one after another, when she was 11 years old from which she never recovered.
“I remember when I was little and I used to go watch her play football and swimming. She had lots of childhood activities such as dance and Girl Guides but everything stopped when she became ill.
“Intelligent and creative, Isobel has always had a passion and talent for makeup artistry. However, due to ME, her education was messed up and she couldn’t fulfill her dreams by following the normal route of education, but she has never given up! She recently completed a level-3 diploma in Make-Up Artistry.
“Isobel is one of the strongest, determined people I know. She is the go to person to talk things through. She has an awesome sense of humour and is caring and thoughtful.”
Photos show: Harry racing; with sister Isobel, mum Clare and dad Richard at a theatre show; getting all muddied up; and Olympic superhero Sir Mo Farah greeting runners in the Junior North Run.
In his amazing tribute to his older sister, Harry gave us a little snapshot from Isobel’s life which shows just how precarious enjoyment and a good day out can be for someone with ME.
“Our eldest sister recently got married and Isobel enjoyed the day smiling and chatting and supporting our sister and people said how well she looked.
“However, they haven’t seen the aftermath where she crashed, was in pain and unable to leave her darkened room. This can be caused from bigger activities or something as simple as showering, walking and socialising.”
And, in a message to the ME Association and the powers-that-be who can make a difference, Harry concluded:
“There needs to be more understanding and research to help the thousands suffering with this illness and that is why I have chosen to run for the ME Association so I can do my bit to support Isobel and the other suffers and let them know they are not forgotten and we do care.”
Well done, Harry – none of us here will ever forget!
If you would like to support Harry’s fundraiser, please visit
https://AJBellgreatnorthrun2024.enthuse.com/pf/harry-bromley-a78de
Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Consultant, The ME Association
tony.britton@meassociation.org.uk Mob: 07393 805566
