1st of the month - the day to donate £1 to 1st Class ME Research!

A Pound For Research

The original idea by Ruth Gilchrist for One Day - One Pound was for as many people as possible to donate just £1 on May 12th International ME Awareness Day to show support and to help raise vital funds for 1st class biomedical research for tests and treatments for ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis).  We extended this to include a monthly reminder of our ongoing fundraising for this vital cause on the 1st of each month.  Donations at any time are welcome. Every £1 makes a big difference to the charity that our cause supports - Invest in ME (also now registered as Invest in ME Research). 

Gift Aid is an extra 25% of your donation from the government if you are a UK tax-payer,

so don't forget to tick the Gift Aid box when you donate if this applies to you.

If in UK you can text APFR99 

£1-£5 or £10

to 70070 

(JustTextGiving)

Text donations add to the total raised on the Just Giving Page.

You can add your name and Gift Aid if eligible by text. 

You can also donate (worldwide) 

any amount (minimum of £2) via JustGiving

Other options to donate £1 or more .. 

Paypal

To: paypal@investinme.org

Bank Transfer

Bank: Lloyds TSB Eastleigh

Sorting code: 30-92-94

Account number: 02252685

Bank Transfer from outside the UK 

IBAN: GB63 Loyd 3092 9402 2526 85

BIC/SWIFT: LOYDGB21209

Cheque

Send cheques payable to ‘Invest in ME’ to:

Invest in ME 

PO Box 561,

Eastleigh,

Hampshire,

SO50 0GQ

(add Gift Aid to your donation with Invest in ME’s Gift Aid form)

Please help spread the word .. 

Let's Do it For ME is a patient-driven campaign launched in 2011 in support of the proposal by independent UK charity Invest in ME (Research) to establish a centre of excellence for translational research and patient care based around Norwich Research Park in East Anglia; the first of its kind in UK/Europe and in collaboration with other leading UK and international biomedical researchers.

We help to raise funds for the biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis that the charity is organising and/or funding in the development of the centre of excellence projects. The foundation study investigating the role of gut permeability in ME got underway in 2013 thanks to achieving our initial fundraising target of £100k (new target £200k) The next £50k fully funded a study of B-cells based at UCL prior to a clinical trial (new target £450k). 

Our crowdfunding for specific ME research is the first of its kind in UK and has inspired similar projects in Europe and USA. We have now helped to raise over £500,000 for the IIME Research strategy to develop and are aiming for £1000,000. The current focus of the research is on the role of the immune system, including infection and autoimmunity. 

Invest in ME is run entirely by unpaid volunteers who either have ME or are parents and carers of ME patients. They are driving the agenda of scientific biomedical research into diagnostic tests and treatments for myalgic encephalomyelitis in UK in collaboration with international researchers of world renown. Thank you for your support! 

Let's Do It for ME!

ldifme.org

in support of Invest in ME (Research)

investinme.org

Invest in ME International Conference (IIMEC)

investinme.eu

IIME/UCL/UK rituximab trial 

ukrituximabtrial.org

You can follow our cause @Letsdoit4ME on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Thank-you for your support!

Matched March Donations Offer!

We've had a brilliant response to our invitation to help us hit £1million fundraising target for Invest in ME Research Funds by May, including this very kind message from supporters who wish to remain anonymous: 

"We are so impressed by the LDIFME team and all their efforts to support biomedical research into ME with Invest in ME that we would like to donate £1000 for a matching donation effort in aid of the wonderful new March on a Million challenge. Please keep up the impressive and crucial support for the charity and for ME patients".

What a lovely surprise!

We share these wonderful supporters' hope that this may inspire others to offer matching donation amounts. If so, please get in touch and we look forward to hearing from you. 

The matching amount (up to £1000 in total) will be added as an offline donation to the JustGiving page at the end of March.  Gift Aid (extra from the government for eligible UK tax-payers donations) will be an added bonus towards the £1million fundraising target, so don't forget to tick the box if this applies to you. The month's marching on so don't delay  - spread the word to donate today :) 

1st APRIL UPDATE: You did it! Thanks so much for your support and again of course, to our kind matching sponsors.  Their £1000 has been added as an offline donation to add to the totals on the Let's Do It For ME JustGiving page (link below).  Hang on, it's 1st of the new month? On with Ruth Gilchrist's One Day - One Pound!  THANK YOU each and every one!  http://blog.ldifme.org/2012/06/one-day-one-pound.html

Ways to donate for this matching offer. 

JustGiving (worldwide - minimum donation £2 - includes PayPal)
https://www.justgiving.com/ldifme

or 

JustTextGiving  (UK only) 

Text: BMER99 - £1-£5 or £10 - to 70070 

You can choose to add your name and Gift Aid by text if eligible. 

Text donations add to the totals on the Just Giving link above. 

Paypal

paypal@investinme.org

Bank Transfer

Bank: Lloyds TSB Eastleigh

Sorting code: 30-92-94

Account number: 02252685

Bank Transfer from outside the UK

IBAN: GB63 Loyd 3092 9402 2526 85

BIC/SWIFT: LOYDGB21209

Cheque

Payable to ‘Invest in ME’ to:

Invest in ME
PO Box 561,

Eastleigh,

Hampshire,

SO50 0GQ

UK tax-payers can add Gift Aid - Invest in ME Gift Aid form

To read more about our £1m challenge -

http://blog.ldifme.org/2015/03/lets-march-on-million.html

BIG THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

& THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR BIG CAUSE

Let's Do It For ME!

*Let's Do It For ME! is a patient-driven campaign helping to raise awareness of the work of independent UK charity Invest in ME (Research) and funds for the biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis that the charity is organising and/or funding. Invest in ME is run entirely by unpaid volunteers who either have ME or are parents and carers of ME patients. They are driving the agenda of scientific biomedical research into diagnostic tests and treatments for myalgic encephomyelitis in UK in collaboration with international researchers of world renown. 2015 marks the 10th year of amazing progress made by this small charity with a BIG cause - will you help them make it the best yet? Let's do it for Invest in ME!*

ME Awareness - Makayla & Mummy

Makayla and Mummy

Michelle Nunn wrote:

At the age of just 8 being told you have ME must be awful, you're told how you have to change your life, schooling etc. etc, it's bad enough that you're not well enough to play with your friends this is not what childhood is about!!!. But yet this brave amazing little girl has never complained or given up hope. Three and a half years later she's still holding on to this hope that one day. So to make that one day real for her and so many others she's set about raising money for IiME Charity by taking part in a sponsored horse walk. Please sponsor this brave little girl in her challenge even if its a £1 its £1 close to that hope for her and so many.  Thank you a very proud Mummy. 

Having a child with this illness is nearly as isolating as a adult with this illness.  You lose so many friends as they just don't get it, yet the support we have been shown by everyone re her sponsored walk has been amazing. Seeing her face when I tell her someone we don't know has sponsored her is priceless.  She smashed her £150 target and now she wants to get to the £1000 - please help her no matter how small it still brings a massive smile to her face.  Thank you all.

Makayla Nunn

Makayla's story:

At the young age of 8, I was diagnosed with the debilitating illness ME.

This illness had changed so much of my young life, turning my world upside down. Yet I have never given up HOPE.

I would like to join others in a sponsored horse walk on the 10th May 2015.

I suffer with exhaustion and pain so this is not going to be easy for me but I wouldn't have it any other way. Please show me your support and give me HOPE that I can do this.

Text WFME55 £1 (or £2-£5/£10) to 70070
or donate to
Makayla's Horse Walk on JustGiving
https://www.justgiving.com/michelle-nunn1/

UPDATE:  Congratulations to Makayla and big THANKS to her kind sponsors on reaching the new target this plucky little girl had set herself of £1000!  Michelle wrote: "Thank you all so much for once ME has given my little girl something to smile at and for her to say take that ME with all your kind help she has raised over £1000 (without gift aid) one very happy little girl and a proud mum. THANK U ALL."

Makayla's fundraising page remains open and her Horse Walk is planned for 10th May.

Created by Michelle Nunn

Meanwhile, if you would like one of these delightful teddy bear pictures (left) with your name on it to show your support for ME Awareness, then just let us or Michelle know when you donate to Makayla's Horse Walk and she will send it to your inbox.  You can comment on this blog or contact Michelle directly via this post in Invest in ME Facebook - http://on.fb.me/1FWmF5G

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

*****
Let's Do It For ME is an awareness and fundraising campaign in support of Invest in ME Charity. We are aiming to reach a million pounds for Invest in ME Research Funds in 2015 - please click here for March 2015 press release and details - http://bitly.com/1zZWp4l

Charity Today News!

Charity Today

UPDATE 16th March:  You did it! Invest in ME got the most nominations and won!  More news on this when we have it. Meanwhile, well done and big THANKS everyone for nominating Invest in ME. 

Posted on 10th March:
Great chance to win a month’s free advertising on Charity Today News for Invest in ME Charity. The charity with the most nominations wins, it’s that simple.
How to enter:
Simply like and share the post, then name Invest in ME below to nominate them.
Closes 11am on 13th March 2015.

The post is currently pinned to the Charity Today page on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/charitytodaynews

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

* Let's Do It For ME is an awareness and fundraising campaign in support of Invest in ME Charity. We are aiming to reach a million pounds for Invest in ME Research Funds in 2015 - please click here for March 2015 press release and details - http://bitly.com/1zZWp4l

Photo Contest Ends Midnight Sunday 15th March - Reading Rocks!

easyfundraising want you to share a picture or video with them showing why 

Reading Rocks!

Deadline is Sunday 15th March midnight.

UK residents aged 18 or over.

You don't have to be an easyfundraising member to take part.

One entry per person.

There are two ways to enter :

Facebook

Share your picture or video on easyfundraising's Facebook page, either in the comments under a post about the competition or on their wall.

Twitter

Tweet your picture or video using the hashtag #ReadingRocks and remember to mention @easyuk.

They suggest lots of ways you can show how much you think Reading Rocks; a selfie of you with your favourite book, a picture of your book club, your children enjoying reading their favourite book, the kids dressed as characters from literature or even your pet with their purrfect book!

Win a £100 donation!

What’s more, once you’ve shared your photo or video, you’ll be in with a chance to WIN £100 to donate to the charity that’s close to our heart - Invest in ME!

PLUS The Book People have given easyfundraising a children’s book bundle to giveaway with an RRP of over £240! And they’ve increased donations to 3% so you raise even more.

We only have until Sunday 15th March to enter, so grab your camera and let's get snapping!

Terms and Conditions in full

GOOD LUCK & THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

*****

Let's Do It For ME is an awareness and fundraising campaign in support of Invest in ME Charity.  We are aiming to reach a million pounds for Invest in ME Research Funds in 2015 - please click here for March 2015 press release and details - http://bitly.com/1zZWp4l

Secret Easter 2015

Deadline for entry is Saturday 14th March.  This is the latest in the lovely series throughout the year based on the tradition of Secret Santa and organised by Invest in ME supporters Ali Head and Becca Hams on Facebook.  Last month was Secret Valentine, and Secret Summer is (hopefully) to look forward to again this year. Now is the time for Secret Easter 2015.  Donations are via Ali's JustGiving page and proceeds go towards the IIME Rituximab Research Fund.  Please click here for further info and how to take part and don't forget that closing date is March 14th - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1549225902024668

Let's Do It For ME is an awareness and fundraising campaign in support of Invest in ME Charity.  We are aiming to reach a million pounds for Invest in ME Research Funds in 2015 - please click here for March 2015 press release and details - http://bitly.com/1zZWp4l
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Cordon Bleu for ME!

Cordon Bleu for ME

Stuck for ideas? Well, we have plenty!

• You could make a blue drink (perhaps a non-alcoholic cocktail to highlight the tolerance problems of alcohol for someone with ME); 

• or maybe gluten or dairy-free cupcakes with blue icing to represent those who cannot eat normal cupcakes; 

• or perhaps blue pasta by colouring the water (natural food colouring, of course! No nasty E-numbers required). 

• Even a blue soup in the style of the hapless and wonderful Bridget Jones! 

The choice is yours and the choice is HUGE – endless, even! Blue omelette! Blue curry! (Or at least blue rice.) Blue cheese on a pizza! The list goes on and on .... 

The results could be used for an invitation-only themed dinner (might you want to dress as Smurfs for the occasion?); a bake sale; lovely ice lollies (well, we can hope for warm weather in May!) or biscuits around the school playground or office. 

The most important thing is awareness for the horrendous disease that is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Remember, many of the severe sufferers cannot eat anything at all and are forced to rely on tube-feeding.

Blue is the colour most associated with ME and eating and even drinking a natural pleasure denied to so many who suffer from it. 

Please help them by doing what you can to highlight what they go through while having fun in the kitchen and remembering how much your efforts, whether Masterchef or total novice, count!

Let the (cake/soufflé/bread) money-raising begin! 

Find Cordon Bleu for ME on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CordonBleuForME

https://www.facebook.com/CordonBleuForME

(the photos in this image were obtained through Google and are for illustration and inspirational ideas only)

Let's Do It For ME is an awareness and fundraising campaign in support of Invest in ME Charity.  We are aiming to reach £1m for Invest in ME Research Funds in 2015 - please click here for March 2015 press release and details - http://bitly.com/1zZWp4l

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Great Start to 2015!

Wow, thanks to everyone supporting, what a busy start to the new year, hard to believe that January's over so soon! This is a landmark year, as 2015 marks the 10th year of Invest in ME charity and the 10th of their renowned international biomedical research conferences (IIMEC10). You can read more in the first Invest in ME newsletter of 2015, published in pdf on 27th January - http://bit.ly/1wAnt7L  You can sign up to receive their free e-newsletters by email. 

Jam-packed as usual with news of their amazing work on campaigning, advocacy, education, and with updates on the research and fundraising on pages 8 and 9 of the pdf. You'll see links to some of the new fundraising events organised so far for 2015 including: Walk for ME, Twighlight Colourthon, Brighton Half-Marathon, Sheffield Half-Marathon, Brighton Half-Marathon, Thames Path Challenge, Tough Mudder South-West, 2015 miles of running in 2015, A Birthday Challenge. 

Also new for 2015 is the New Year, New ME fundraiser, an all-year round extension to the very successful Stoptober for M.E. Awareness and fundraiser organised by Ali Head, whereby supporters gave up something they enjoy and donated what they saved to Invest in ME. Aimed at the family and friends of people suffering with ME in hope that they will support the search for treatment and an end to the neglect of this devastating disease. Event info here -
https://www.facebook.com/events/852973618102072

Watch this space for the launch of The Big Sleep for ME 2015. Meanwhile, Team Princess is polishing up their tiaras in readiness to play their role. You can find them on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/meprincesses 

Two more major awareness and fundraising events are Mike Harley's EU Marathons and Mike Shepherd's North Pole Challenge. You may remember Mike Harley from last year as Team Leader of 92 for ME, the amazing tour of 92 football league grounds in 92 hours. He's now embarking on a mammoth challenge to run a marathon in 28 EU countries! Mike's EU Marathons Facebook page is here - https://www.facebook.com/mikeseumarathons

Mike Shepherd's North Pole Challenge is set for April 2015 and is all the more remarkable as he will be the first person with a heart pacemaker fitted to run a full marathon at The North Pole. Mike's wife Lara has fibromyalgia, and he is doing this amazing challenge for the sake of his teenage daughter Elizabeth, as she has had ME for several years of her young life. Mike's North Pole Challenge Facebook page is here - https://www.facebook.com/Northpolechallenge

Sue Page's Small Change to Change M.E. Fundraiser will run again throughout 2015. The £2014 target was reached by 31st December 2014, so Sue has raised the target for this year to £3000. Loose change – it all adds up! The event page is here - https://www.facebook.com/events/1536858226585701/

You're welcome to let us know if you're planning any events for Invest in ME, or if you'd like to help out in any way with our awareness and fundraising in support of the charity.  We are mostly severely ill and the charity itself is also run by volunteer patients or parents/carers, with no paid staff.

Current Invest in ME Research Fund Totals are:

Gut Microbiota Research - £130k raised of £200k target.
Rituximab Research - £368k of £450k target. 

So, just £2k shy of a whopping £500,000 raised for Invest in ME Biomedical ME Research Funds since our campaign launched in July 2011 support of the charity's proposal (published May 2010) for a centre of excellence for translational biomedical ME research and patient care! 

Oh, is 1st of the month? The day to donate just £1 to IIME's 1st class biomedical ME research!

http://blog.ldifme.org/2012/06/one-day-one-pound.html

Thank-you for your support.

 

Let's Do It for ME

ldifme.org 

in support of Invest in ME (Research)

investinme.org

Invest in ME International Biomedical Research Conference (IIMEC)

investinme.eu

IIME/UCL/UK rituximab trial 

ukrituximabtrial.org

 

  Let's Do It for ME is a patient-driven campaign helping to raise awareness of the work of independent UK charity Invest in ME (Research) on developing a UK centre of excellence for M.E. and funds for the biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis that the charity is organising and/or funding. Invest in ME is run entirely by unpaid volunteers who either have ME or are parents and carers of ME patients. They are driving the agenda of scientific biomedical research into diagnostic tests and treatments for myalgic encephomyelitis in UK in collaboration with international researchers of world renown. 2015 marks the 10th year of amazing progress made by this small charity with a BIG cause. Will you help them make it the best yet? Let's do it for Invest in ME!

ALL4LOVE!

ME AWARENESS - LET'S BE SEEN IN 2015! 

All seller proceeds from our online shops go straight to Invest in ME charity 

for biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis. 

Free delivery for all orders on Spreadshirt over £30

From 29 January until 2 February 2015

Coupon Code: ALL4LOVE

(cannot be combined with other discounts or coupon codes)

A wide range available from our online Spreadshirt shops:

Let's do it for ME! (run by Jan Laverick) 

40 products with our campaign logo .. http://ldifme.spreadshirt.co.uk/

.. or design your own .. http://designerme.spreadshirt.co.uk/

The Big Sleep for ME (run by Julia Cottam) 

158 products in exclusive designs for our annual ME Awareness event. http://thebigsleepforme.spreadshirt.co.uk/

Make ME (run by Jon Watson)
20 products designed for our crafty campaign side, including 

Hug ME. http://www.makemecrafts.com/Make-ME-Spreadshirt.html

ME Awareness (run by Carmel Hillary)

A range of great items with Invest in ME logo, as well as a number of other designs for awareness of myalgic encephalomyelitis and also fibromyalgia, are among the 51 products available from this shop. http://653855.spreadshirt.co.uk/

LET'S BE SEEN IN 2015!

(please note that Invest in ME will provide their own logo T-shirts FREE of charge for 
your awareness or fundraising events in aid of the charity.
You can email them at: info@investinme.org or contact them via their website).

Thank you for your support.

Let's do it for ME! 

http://ldifme.org/

in support of 

Invest in ME Charity

http://www.investinme.org/

15% off ends 13th January!

All seller proceeds from our online shops go straight to Invest in ME charity for biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). This Spreadshirt offer ends January 13th.

15% off your entire Spreadshirt order (no minimum).

Voucher Code: HEART15 (can't be used with other codes)

Our online Spreadshirt shops are:

Let's do it for ME! (run by Jan Laverick) 

40 products with our campaign logo .. http://ldifme.spreadshirt.co.uk/

.. or design your own .. http://designerme.spreadshirt.co.uk/

The Big Sleep for ME (run by Julia Cottam) 

158 products in exclusive designs for our annual ME Awareness event. http://thebigsleepforme.spreadshirt.co.uk/

Make ME (run by Jon Watson) 

20 products designed for our crafty campaign side, including Hug ME. http://www.makemecrafts.com/Make-ME-Spreadshirt.html

A range of great items with Invest in ME logo, as well as a number of other designs for awareness of myalgic encephalomyelitis and also fibromyalgia, are among the 51 products available from this shop run by Carmel Hillary. http://653855.spreadshirt.co.uk/

LET'S BE SEEN IN 2015!

(please note that Invest in ME will provide their charity logo T-shirts FREE of charge for 

your awareness or fundraising events.

You can email them at: info@investinme.org or contact them via their website).

Thank you for your support.

Let's do it for ME! 
http://ldifme.org/
in support of 
Invest in ME Charity
http://www.investinme.org/

Christmas Greetings from ME to You!

Thank you for your on-going support throughout 2014!

This campaign is only a success because of you as you're the ones really "Doing It for ME!"

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and of course, as always, thinking of all those isolated at this time of year. Many of our group have severe ME so our thoughts are truly with you.

Looking forward to more fun fundraising with you all in 2015! 

We also wish all at Invest in ME charity a well-deserved Happy Christmas and all the best for the year ahead - our campaign exists in support of their amazing work!

Extracts from Invest in ME Christmas 2014 newsletter ....

Invest in ME and our supporters have a firm belief that the only sensible strategy for finding useful treatments, prevention and ultimately a cure for ME is via a focus on biomedical research into the illness. Our efforts since 2007 have concentrated on international collaboration in biomedical research - something that has already been proven to be productive.

In 2013 we had announced the beginning of our plans to initiate a clinical trial of rituximab following the BRMEC3 Colloquium and our magnificent supporters have achieved the impossible in 2014 and raised the initial target of £350,000. A preliminary B-cell study was made part of this project and that was started during this last year.

Our foundation project at UEA/IFR continued and we have complemented this with funding of medical students who are participating in our projects by intercalating during their fourth year of study.

Our intention was announced in 2014 to fund more PhD studentships and our targets have been set.
The charity set up an Advisory Board of researchers to help with strategy and focus research efforts. This has met twice in 2014. With the planned four PhDs and three medical students working on biomedical research into ME a good foundation for our future aims has been built.

With all the hardships that ME causes to patients and families they still believe there is a better way and 2014 was a year when patient power really came to the fore – led by IIME supporters. Despite having been set challenging targets to initiate a strategy of biomedical research, our supporters have given hope to all patients.

Thank you all.

Our thanks to the LDIFME team for the enormous work they have performed and the service to the ME community which they have achieved through their tireless efforts to raise awareness and funds via positive and innovative campaigns.

Despite enormous difficulties we have, together, made things happen.

As we approach Christmas we can look to the next year and express hope. We have our tenth International ME conference and our fifth Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium - which will now span two days.

We would like to wish all of our wonderful supporters a very happy Christmas and a New Year full of hope - and a huge thank you for all that you have to done to help us all to move forward.
You continue to make a difference.

Merry Christmas!

From all at Invest in ME

*end of extracts* - past IIME newsletters here -http://www.investinme.org/IIME%20newsletter.htm

The IIME gut microbiota research is being conducted at the world-class Institute of Food Research (IFR) and is featured in Day 7 of the brilliant Advent Calendar IFR have produced for 2014. Well worth a browse through these bite-size snippets of fun and facts - http://blogs.ifr.ac.uk/advent/category/advent/

Best Wishes to Everyone for Christmas and New Year!

Thank you for your support!

Let's do it for ME 

http://ldifme.org/

in support of 

Invest in ME 

http://www.investinme.org/

Welcome to IIME September Newsletter!

We said in our 1st September update that August had been a busy for month for Invest in ME Charity  

and their supporters. Well, this month has followed suit! 

Invest in ME Research Charity

This rapid progress is enabled *THANKS to YOU ALL* for your tremendous support and generous donations to Invest in ME. IIME writes:

"There are real grounds for optimism now that the charity and its supporters have been able to build a foundation for a long term strategy of biomedical research into ME."

The jam-packed pdf version of the Invest in ME September 2014 Newsletter is a round-up of the two e-newsletters published by the charity this month.

This new pdf format is a taster of things to come, as they intend in future to produce a fuller magazine to accompany the newsletter. This will transform into a monthly document which describes the work that the charity and their supporters are doing together.

 

From the Introduction:

September 2014 IIME Newsletter

Our foundation project has begun at University of East Anglia and the Institute of Food Research to analyse gut microbiota in ME patients.

At the 2012 conference we stated that we were working on an attempt to set up a rituximab clinical trial. Following our Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium in London last year we have made rapid progress by partnering UCL in setting up the planned UK rituximab clinical trial.

In our ninth year as an organisation we can say each year has been a stepping stone in breaking the mould and bringing ME into mainstream in research and media.

Funding is scarce and the efforts of our supporters to make up what has been lacking from government agencies and research funding organisations have been awe-inspiring.

Click here for the full pdf version of the September 2014 IIME Newsletter.

Please have a read and let us know what you think of the new format! 

You can also -

Click here for the web version of the 1st September 2014 IIME Newsletter.

Click here for the web version of the 22nd September 2014 IIME Newsletter.

Coming up in October ...

• 1st of the month - the day to donate just £1 to Ist Class Biomedical ME Research!

• Stoptober Stop for M.E!

• Scary Bear Halloween Event! 

Invest in ME Research Charity

Thank you for you support!

Let's do it for ME!

ldifme.org

created in support of 

Invest in ME Charity

investinme.org

Hurst Family Fundraising for ME!

Jane Hurst

I have suffered with this horrible illness – ME – for over 16 years. I also have Dysautonomia, and was recently diagnosed with Elhers Danlos Syndrome. I have too many symptoms to list, most of them invisible, but the symptoms that cause me most distress are the severe chronic pain and the disabling and very uncomfortable circulatory/cardio vascular problems. I spent the first 2-3 years of the illness completely bed-ridden & all of the past 16 years housebound (mostly bed-ridden) but due to the pain I experience now I am unable to lie down and sitting down is too painful a lot of the time, so life is extremely difficult, having to stand hunched over my bed for hours each day even though this causes me to feel very faint & exhausted. I try to be positive but if I’m honest most days are nothing short of an endurance. This is also the case for many of my fellow Severe ME/EDS sufferers.

2013 Picture Quiz

Back in 2000 I felt I just had to do something to help raise both awareness of this illness and funds for ME research. I decided I would organise a trivia quiz. It took months to compile but eventually it was complete and, thankfully, it raised over £400 for ME Research. I went on to do another 7 more quizzes and 2 years ago Geoff came on board and our 2 quizzes have raised a total of £2100 for Invest In ME. Lets Do It For ME helped us to reach this total as did our families, and of course our friends who were so generous with donations. We hope to organise another quiz later this year. Geoff’s a great quiz partner (don’t tell him I said that though!)

Profits to Invest in ME and The 25% M.E. Group

Back in 2004 I put together some Nature photocards to raise money for various ME Charities. All photos I use for the the cards are taken by either people with ME or the families of PWME. We got 20 packs of each design printed up and thankfully they sold! And incredibly they still do sell! Profits from the photocards go to Invest In ME and The 25% M.E. Group. Alongside the photocards I’ve been making my own greeting cards since 2005. Due to the illness I can usually manage two 20 minute card-making sessions a day and even during these better hours it’s often frustratingly difficult to concentrate due to the pain and vertigo I experience, this is one of the reasons I keep my designs pretty simple, plus I’m not talented enough to create anything too complex! 

Range of Designs

Supermarket Display

My family have been brilliant and organise sales three times a year at our local supermarkets and our local Farm Shop sell my Easter and Christmas cards. We all just want to do our bit to help raise awareness and funds for this horrible horrible illness that unfortunately can and does destroy lives. Over the past 13 years the cards and the quizzes have raised over £11,000 (£2000 of this was raised by the online quizzes Geoff Allen and I organised). Hopefully the cards will continue selling and hopefully Geoff and I can think of some more quiz questions so we can launch a 2014 Trivia/Picture Quiz later this year! Thanks for reading :-) Jane Hurst.

Hurst Family Sales of Jane's Cards

A big THANK YOU to Jane Hurst and family for their tremendous efforts and achievements in raising awareness and vital funds for biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis, and not forgetting quiz-partner and fellow Let's do it for ME Team member Geoff Allen. Together, they embody the true spirit of our can-do community campaign 

in support of the progressive work of 

Invest in ME Research charity in developing a UK centre of excellence for ME.  

Jane has two sets of photocards now with new designs. Click below for details.

Pack 1         Pack 2 

Cards for all seasons to Invest in ME all year round!

100 Cares = 4 Chances to Win £1000!

JustGiving is giving away £1,000 each week until the end of August! 

If 100 cares are hit in the first week, the charity has 4 chances to win, 

so the faster the better.  Hit 100 cares quickly = More chances to win.

So let's show we care - Let's get #100cares for IiME!

Click on this link, then the Care button - you'll need to log in to JustGiving.

https://www.justgiving.com/investinm-e/

Here's the short link to copy and paste - http://bit.ly/1kcDHUS

Let's Show We Care for Invest in ME

Thank you for your support.

Let's do it for ME!

ldifme.org in support of investinme.org 

Summary of recent achievements and work in progress:  Good Things Come in 3s!