Sue Hulford has joined our team of 11 runners in this year’s London Landmarks Half Marathon because she wants to help spread the word about the severity of this illness.
I’ve always enjoyed running, but rather badly. I’ve done lots of 5kms, 10kms and half marathons, pootling along really, said … ahead of the event on 12th April.
But now she has an 18-year-old daughter Amy, who has lost out hugely on her teenage years after going down with Long Covid, Sue says:
One of the reasons I’m running in this race is to use it as a way of reaching people who, when it comes to understanding the illness, just don’t ‘get it’!
ME is not just people being a bit tired. The list of symptoms is long and unpredictable, daily tasks we all take for granted – getting dressed, showering, even talking to family and friends – all have a physical consequence for Amy.
In 2021, my daughter fell ill with Covid. We thought she’d recover with a little time and rest. Months passed, and nothing seemed to help. Neither medical nor school professionals were able to offer any support or even acknowledge Amy’s deteriorating condition. She became increasingly ill, in pain, withdrawn and depressed.
She was no longer able to attend school, dropped GCSEs, socialising with friends and family was too overwhelming, and even going into the garden became too much.
But she remains incredibly strong and positive – something which never ceases to amaze me. Over time, she has learnt to manage her limited energy, and forward planning is a must. Any trips or visits from friends are major events that she really looks forward to, despite the inevitable exhaustion and pain that follow.
Amy hates attention and doesn’t like to make a fuss. She has the brightest smile, rarely complains, and will do all she can to hide the pain she is in and the effort it takes each day for her to just be.
Sue told us
One thing Amy is into is ‘K-Pop’, the high energy South Korean pop music genre. So with, lots of help from mum, she did manage to get to a show in her wheelchair at London’s O2 stadium recently. “We both had a great day”, said Sue.
MEA Fundraising and development manager, Jim Morrison said:
The charity welcomes every bit of support it can find. Fundraisers like Sue don’t just cross finish lines. They blaze trails that lead to treatments and a cure.
We’ll be introducing you to some more of our fundraising trailblazers in the next few weeks…..
If you would like to support Sue’s fundraiser, please visit the following Just Giving page:
Sue's London Landmarks Half Marathon
Fundraising for ME Association
Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Volunteer, The ME Association
fundraising@meassociation.org.uk
