The Mayor of Trafford, Cllr Jane Brophy, hosted an evocative ME/CFS awareness evening on Saturday 17th January at Altrincham Hub to support The ME Association, one of the Mayor’s three charities alongside Trafford Carers Centre and Parks in Trafford.
The evening centered around the theme of ‘Missing People,’ to symbolise those who could not attend because ME/CFS keeps them confined to their homes or beds. It served as a powerful reminder of the unseen impact of the condition and the voices that deserve to be heard.
The Mayor of Trafford, Cllr Jane Brophy
The ME Association means so much to me because I have a family member with ME/CFS. I’ve seen firsthand how challenging this condition can be, including the daily struggles, the uncertainty, and the impact it has on every part of life. Supporting this charity is my way of helping to raise awareness and understanding, and a step towards making life better for people with ME/CFS.
ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), also known as CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), is a multisystemic disease. Symptoms include profound fatigue, sleep disturbance, post-exertional malaise, cognitive difficulties and a range of other symptoms including pain, headaches, nausea and intolerance to light and noise. People with severe ME/CFS can be entirely housebound or bedbound, often needing 24-hour care.
During the awareness evening, the local community came together to create a collaborative art piece, using creativity as a powerful way to raise awareness and spark conversations about ME/CFS. The artwork, based around a grounded tree represented with the four seasons, symbolises the passage of time that people with ME/CFS may miss out on. It is hoped that the art-piece can now be shared in a local public community venue to raise further awareness and fundraising for the condition.
The fun-filled evening also included mini bingo and a raffle in aid of the Mayor’s charities. A number of sets of clothes and shoes were laid on the floor to represent the ‘missing people’ – a poignant tribute to those affected by ME/CFS who could not join the awareness evening.
Guest speaker, Sarah Harper, from The ME Association provided an insight into how the charity supports people with ME/CFS and their families and talked about the Charity’s latest £1.1 million investment into ground-breaking research to help world-leading scientists uncover shared pathways between ME/CFS and Long Covid – the ‘Rosetta Stone programme’ is the largest ever single investment in biomedical research by any charity in this field, and the largest research project of its kind.
Sarah Harper, Trusts and Legacy Manager at the ME Association
We are absolutely delighted that the Mayor of Trafford has chosen to raise funds for The ME Association. Their support means so much, as it helps us continue our vital work supporting people in the local area who live with ME/CFS – a condition that can be life-changing and isolating. Together, we can make a real difference in raising awareness and providing hope for those in the local community.
Mayor of Trafford's Charity Fund
The ME Association
Media coverage
- Trafford Council: Mayor of Trafford hosts awareness evening to support ME/CFS charity | Jan 20, 2026
- Messenger Newspapers: Charity event held at Altrincham Hub supports people with ME | Jan 24, 2026