More than a memory… Liz puts on her running shoes for the MEA

Elizabeth Shearer will be running for us in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in memory of her dad Victor – a man she only knew as someone who was taken down by ME when she was a toddler.

“I only ever knew him as someone who had to spend most of his time in bed or in a wheelchair. We’d manage to take him out now and then but invariably had to cut the trip short when he became ill again,” said Elizabeth

Victor, a man of strong Christian conviction from Lisburn in Northern Ireland, died aged 63 almost four years ago. With his wife Christine, he was in the process of setting up a bible school in Belfast before he became ill.

“We’re not really sure what happened but the story is that they had moved into a new house which he then cleaned from top to bottom without wearing a mask and not opening any windows. My dad became ill soon afterwards and never recovered,” said 34-year-old Liz, an adult education tutor from Stockton-on-Tees.

“I’m happy to share my story as so many people don’t know what ME is and I’m still shocked at the lack of awareness in medical professionals. My dad would be pleased to know it’s being talked about today.

Even though he was ill, I remember he had a silly sense of humour and, when well enough, was a bit of prankster. We didn’t see that often but those memories still makes me smile.”

Liz, a self-published poet with three books of poetry to her name, is training hard for the London Landmarks Half on 12th April, one of 11 runners in our power-packed ‘#TeamMEA’

She did manage to take her dad sightseeing to London some years ago.

He always talked about the day he went down there and saw the sights.

What’s keeping her motivated for 12th April?

Do you know, I’ve run 250 miles since the beginning of January and not lost a single pound. But the thing is I feel good about myself and I’m much fitter.

Liz moved to England with her mum and dad when she was nine years old. They eventually settled in Stockton, where she became a pillar of the community.

She’d love a shout-out to be given to Aidy and his team at the nearby Tipsy Turtle micro-pub who are putting on a quiz for her fundraiser later this month. Her local church plans to do something as well.

If you would like to support Elizabeth’s fundraiser, please visit her Just Giving page below: