A couple have started walking over some of the most beautiful hills in the West Country to mark the tenth anniversary of their daughter becoming ill with ME.
“Much of it will be ridge-walking in The Mendips where there are vast panoramic views over the Somerset Levels and as far as the sea”, said Dawn Brown, who has been walking with husband Graham and friends along the West Mendip Way.
“When we started out, we were also walking in that marvellous weather at the beginning of the month.”
In a way, their family story is a lucky one.
Their 30-year-old daughter Charlotte has recovered well enough to be able to move out of the family home at Burnham-on-Sea, and for the past two years has been living independently in Exeter – where she has a part-time job in the box office at the city’s Northcott Theatre. She developed ME while at university.
The ME Association is delighted to be benefitting from all this activity. Dawn and Graham have set up a fundraising page for us to help highlight the need to ramp up medical research into the illness.
“Our daughter, Charlie, has lived with ME/CFS for 10 years now. We’re taking this significant birthday moment to raise awareness and support research into this life-draining condition,” said Dawn.
‘We are so proud of Charlie walking today. This is all about raising awareness and money for research into ME/CFS. It's mean and it's unpredictable. Let's see an end to it!'
Photos show scenes from the couple's walks along The West Mendips Way in Somerset – with daughter Charlotte grinning hugely after meeting a local pony
“And all because ME is life-draining, unpredictable, incurable. There is no test for diagnosis and no treatment or medication to bring any relief. We have seen huge progress in other conditions and diseases through research and investment. It is possible to see the same progress with ME/CFS. This does not have to be how it is forever. Change is possible!'
Dawn is an ordained Baptist minister who conduct retreats at Tillington House, the family home in Burnham. Graham recently retired from working as an IT project manager for the BBC in London.
Once the couple have completed the 30-mile West Mendip Way, they will have the East Mendip Way in their sights. When we spoke a week ago, they had walked in stages from the Bristol Channel at Uphill Cliff near West-super-Mare to Loxton and then over the M5 motorway to Crook Peak. Lots more hill walking will be involved as they make their way towards the city of Wells.
“We have done a fair amount of walking so far but will keep going until we finish sometime in April”, said Dawn. “Charlie walked the first couple of short stages with us and did very well, needing only to rest for a day afterwards.”
If you would like to support Dawn and Graham, please visit their Just Giving page
Dawn's 60miles for ME Association
Fundraising for ME Association
Route of the West Mendip Way
Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Volunteer, The ME Association
fundraising@meassociation.org.uk
