Runner, Oliver Stockley (33) from Gloucester is preparing to take on one of the world’s most iconic races, the 2026 Paris Marathon, in aid of The ME Association; a charity that holds deep personal significance for Oliver.

Oliver will join tens of thousands of runners on the streets of Paris this April, taking on the 26.2 mile challenge to raise funds for The ME Association.

Oliver was diagnosed with ME/CFS 10 years ago. At the time he had just started his first job following his graduation from university, and enjoyed an active lifestyle including cycling, running and walking. Due to Oliver’s symptoms, he was unable to continue working full-time and had to return to live with his parents to ensure he had additional support.

“Suddenly, the things I’d taken for granted – walking, running, even reading books – felt impossibly exhausting. I had to stop them all, and any exertion was followed by days or weeks of feeling wiped out. On the outside I looked healthy and able, but I was experiencing debilitating symptoms; my life fell apart and it was terrifying. On my worst days, I was stuck in bed and unable to move, sleeping 16 hours a day. I tried to get up to go to the bathroom but couldn’t hold my own weight. I had to crawl.”
Oliver

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 lights and noise. It is estimated that at least 404,000 people in the UK have ME/CFS. In addition, 950,000 people unable to recover from a Covid infection could meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, which could mean that 1,350,000 adults and children in the UK are affected by ME/CFS.

Roughly ten years after Oliver was first diagnosed with ME/CFS, he no longer presents most of its symptoms. He has since returned to a full-time role and is living independently. “I have gradually been able to build up my fitness. I finally feel able to reconnect with an activity I always loved, running, and I feel it’s safe to run a distance that ten years ago felt impossible. It’s a deeply meaningful challenge for me, and a chance for me to show how far I’ve come against this underrepresented condition that dominated my life for many years. It’s also my way of giving back to The ME Association – without their resources, I would have been completely lost,” says Oliver.

Oliver feels lucky to have experienced an improvement in symptoms to be able to fundraise via physical activities on behalf of those not as fortunate as himself. The ME Association is very happy to support anyone whose fundraising involves some form of physical activity – providing they are not going to cause a decline in health by doing so. (If you are considering fundraising which involves some form of physical activity, please read our important notice here.)

“We wish Oliver all the best for his training in the lead-up to the Paris Marathon, and of course on the day itself. His efforts don’t just support our work, they inspire everyone connected to our cause and ultimately help us raise awareness and understanding of ME/CFS.”
Martine Ainsworth-Wells, trustee and campaigns director at The ME Association

The Paris Marathon is one of the world’s largest and most celebrated running events, which winds through the historic heart of the French capital, past landmarks including the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, before finishing at the Arc de Triomphe.

Oliver has been training for several months, balancing early-morning runs and weekend long-distance sessions with the ultimate goal to boost awareness of ME/CFS. Oliver is also a member of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trail Runners, an adventure running club that meet regularly to complete trails as part of a team and community.

Oliver has set a fundraising target of £900, with all donations going directly to The ME Association. To donate, please visit Oliver’s Just Giving page.

“It breaks my heart knowing that right now, there are countless thousands of people in a similar place to me ten years ago; their world shattered by a recent diagnosis of ME/CFS. Whether it’s £10 or £100, I would be so grateful for any donations,” concludes Oliver.

Oliver's Paris Marathon 2026

Fundraising for ME Association

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If you have been inspired by Oliver's story and would like to take part in your own event and fundraise for The ME Association, please find out more below: