'Let's Get Snapping for ME' 2012 Christmas Cards Photo Competition Online Vote

The ‘Let’s do it for ME’ team has been very busy over the last few days looking through all the entries. We have been overwhelmed by the response to the competition, and with 180 photographs we certainly have had our work cut out. The quality and creativeness of the photos sent in has amazed us. This has made selecting those for the online vote, whilst very difficult, enjoyable too. Once again, we would like to thank everyone for taking part. Now it’s your turn to vote! You can vote in two ways, either by sending an email to fundraising4me@gmail.com stating your chosen photos. (To make it easier to identify and vote for photos on the website we have numbered them. When emailing us, all you need to do is state the number of the photo or photos you have chosen. Please note you should use the number allocated to each photo on this webpage, the one displayed beside the name of each entrant, not that in the gallery if you are scrolling through photos. You can however, subtract 1 in the gallery and this will match its allocated number.) Alternatively, you can go to our Facebook Competition Event’s Page and simply ‘Like’ your chosen photos. You can vote for as many photos as you want. But remember, online voting closes at midnight on Sunday 7th October. We aim to print the five most voted for photos on our 2012 Christmas Cards. Although, there are possibly plans afoot to print more given the quality of entries – so watch this space! The winners will be announced on 12th October, both on the website and our Competition Event’s page.  Please note the competition is now closed to new entries. Congratulations to everyone who has made it to the online vote. Good luck!

1 - Gareth Flynn

2 - Danielle Lee

3 - Claire de Marinis

4 - Frank Lockwood

5 - Julie Cusworth

6 - Sarah Hennell



7 - Diana Winfield



8 - Sarah Hennell

9 - Gareth Flynn



10 - Trevor Drewery

11 - Julia Cottam

12 - Naomi Kratz

13 - Sarah Mozer

14 - Stephen Cox







15 - Kirsty Turner

16 - Suzanne Hudson

17 - Rosemary McCready

18 - Rosemary McCready

19 - Shona Robson



20 - Kelsey Palmer

21 - Sarah Mozer

22 - Maddison Kent



23 - Gareth Flynn

24 - Suzanne Hudson

25 - Kate Stanforth









'Let's Get Snapping for M.E!' 2012 Christmas Cards Photo Competition

  

 

 

We are proud to announce the launch of our ‘Let’s get Snapping for M.E!’ 2012 Christmas Cards Photo Competition. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your photos printed on Let’s Do it for ME’s 2012 Christmas cards. The cards will be sold to help raise funds towards our £100K campaign target (see leaflet for more details). We know there are many budding and talented photographers out there and we want to give you a chance to shine. The competition is open to anyone of any age. It really is that inclusive!

 

Photos can be of anything you like, but must have a Christmassy feel. Traditional snowy scenes (this will probably be last winter’s photos unless you happen to live near the Cairngorms), baubles, Christmas cookies, or something a little more inventive. It’s entirely up to you. All photos must be in digital format. We recommend using an 8 Megapixel camera or higher to produce a good quality image, particularly if you are heavily cropping photos. Please email your photos to fundraising4me@gmail.com by 30th September 2012, remembering to clearly state your name and email address. Those under 16 must have the permission of their parents/guardians.

 

The Let’s Do it for ME team will judge the first stage, with the chosen photos being posted on this website and on the Competition’s Event page on 5th October. The second stage, the exciting bit, is where you get to vote for your favourite ones. You can vote either by emailing us or casting votes on the Competition Page by ‘Liking’ the photo. Voting will close at midnight on 7th October. Those with the most votes will win and be printed. Where there are equal votes the Let’s Do it for ME team will decide which photos are printed. We aim to print the top five photos and will officially announce the winners on 12th October. We hope to have the cards ready for sale around the beginning of November.

 

Winners will not only get their photos printed up on our cards but also receive free packs of this year’s Christmas cards featuring their winning photo. There’s never been a better way to share your talent and do something positive for M.E!

Competition Rules:

 

1) Entrants agree that Let’s Do it for ME and Invest in ME are allowed to print winning photos for fundraising and awareness purposes.

2) Entrants agree that any photos sent in can be used for awareness purposes by Let’s Do it for ME and Invest in ME.

3) Entrants agree that their full names can be used in association with their photos.

4) Entrants are not allowed to vote for their own photos.

5) Only five photos per person are allowed to be submitted into the competition.

6) The winners will be notified by email.

7) The results of the competition will be posted on this website as well as on our Competition’s Facebook Event page.

8) Let’s Do it for ME reserves the right to replace winning photos if, when going to print, we are unable to reproduce a high quality image from them.

 

If you have any questions regarding the competition please email us at fundraising4me@gmail.com or leave a post on our Competition Event page.

 

Good luck everyone!

 

 

To help you get a head start here’s a few tips and tricks

 

Create your own mini home studio

• Find a naturally well lit spot in your home. A conservatory is particularly good. Alternatively, a shady spot in the garden will do. 

• If the natural light isn’t very good indoors put the light on in the room, even use a lamp to help light what you are photographing. Try to avoid using a flash if you can, it tends to spoil photos. 
• To make a backdrop, drape some fabric over a chair or sofa. You can also use card or paper, or be a little more adventurous as shown in (1). You can also lay the fabric, card etc. flat on a table or bed.

  
Other useful tips 

• Gather together objects you to want to photo, materials etc. and anything you think may be useful. This means you have everything in one place and to hand, it also makes easier to experiment with as well as less time and energy consuming.
• Play around with your shots, taking them, for instance, from different angles and different perspectives. You’d be surprised just what a difference this can make. (see 2, 3, 4, 5)
• Make sure you don’t overtire yourself. Take rests.
• If you find holding a camera difficult use a book to rest it on when taking photos.
• If taking photos outside a lightweight camping/fishing fold out stool is very handy.
• And most importantly have fun!

 * All photos that feature have been taken with an 8MP point and shoot camera.
 



 
 

 

LDIFME Diamond Jubilee at 60k!

Congratulations to all involved on reaching the 60th £1,000 towards our inital target of £100k!

There is much to celebrate as you are all making a real difference to the lives of tens of thousands of people of all ages in UK and millions worldwide by helping to build a future for collaborative biomedical research aimed at finding reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and effective treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis as rapidly as possible and without further ado.

Invest in ME (IiME charity) held its 7th International Conference in London on 1st June, following the exciting and productive 2-day inaugural meeting of the new Clinical Autoimmunity Working Group.  The conference journal included an article by IiME about Let's do it for ME! They said:

"Let's do it for ME! is a patient-driven campaign to raise awareness and vital funds for a centre of excellence for translational biomedical ME research, clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients, and training and information for healthcare staff based at the University of East Anglia in the UK and aiming to work collaboratively with international biomedical researchers."

"The Let's Do It For ME campaign is a positive and proactive campaign. The aim is to raise funds for biomedical research but everyone's input is welcomed - be it just ideas or moral support for other people's fundraising.  Whilst raising funds for biomedical research the campaign is also raising much needed awareness and allowing correct information about ME to be disseminated." 

"In a short article such as this we cannot mention everyone who has taken part, or contributed with money or ideas. But the campaign has been effective and re-energised research, making the go-ahead for the IiME proposal nearer to reality.  Rather than waiting for others to do things – a strategy which has not fared well over a generation – the people involved in the efforts to make the IiME proposal a reality are taking it on themselves to make a difference."

Please click on this link to read the full article on Let's do it for ME in The Journal of IiME Volume 6 Issue 1 - IIMEC7 Conference Edition . The Journal contents include the following articles:

-  Let’s Do It for ME
- The New International Consensus Criteria for ME
- Jørgen Jelstad - The Drug and the Possibilities of Changing Everything
- Current Status of ME in Sweden
- Treatment of ME and FM with a Staphylococcus Vaccine
- Transcranial Sonography in the Diagnosis, Follow-up and Treatment of ME
- The Immunological Basis of ME - by Margaret Williams
- Presenters at IiME Conference
- Conference Agenda

Hard copies of the Journal are also available from Invest in ME - email info@investinme.org or visit www.investinme.org for other contact details and the full set of conference DVDs are also now available.

Many thanks to all those LDFIME supporters who kindly submitted photos for the image used and congratulations and many thanks to all who have joined in with the spirit of this campaign so far! 

LET'S DO IT FOR ME!

ME Awareness Materials

Share our Fb photo with attached links of ways to donate
and raise awareness

First posted for ME Awareness Month in May, the good news is there's now a range of easy ways for you to raise awareness all year round of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - all far easier than spelling it!

In previous posts we've highlighted our Standard and Designer Spreadshirt shops and Carmel's ME Awareness shops. They each provide a wide range of awareness items and all funds generated go directly to Invest in ME and biomedical ME research in Norwich. But there are many more ways to raise awareness if you aren't in the market for a new t-shirt, teddy or mug.

LDIFME Leaflets

Print-off our leaflets and hand them out to friends and family, to your GP or consultant or to local journalists - along with some details of your story if possible. Our leaflets give a simple explanation of our campaign and list ways your friends and relatives can get involved including raising funds for free whenever they shop online. Giles Meehan's video explanation of our campaign is also a good way of getting relatives, friends, medical professionals, or maybe your MP up-to-speed.

Badges

Our badges come in packs of 5 with £1 raised for biomedical research. Badges can be re-sold with profits going to Invest in ME or given away to raise awareness. Pin them to a coat, bag or briefcase to raise awareness on the go or give them as a gift to friends and relatives to wear to highlight our cause.

Invest in ME Posters

The BIG CAUSE slogan is used to emphasise the great need for proper research into this disease - something that has been lacking in any government strategy over the years. IiME International Biomedical Research Conference leaflets and Burst Our Bubble campaign posters are also available and IiME can provide ME Awareness support packs.

Various ME Awareness Posters

We have seven poster designs available that have been created in support of Let's do it for ME and Invest in ME charity by members of the Let's do it for ME planning group. All of which are free to save, share and print for awareness raising purposes. With thanks to all those involved in the making of these posters, and to those who feature in them and have given permission for the use of photos. Take your pick and put them up in your hallway or window, your doctor's waiting room or local library - seek permission first where necessary.

www.thebigsleepforme.com

The Big Sleep for ME

Julia Cottam's Big Sleep awareness and fundraising event is all about inclusivity and there are different degrees to which you can get involved depending on your ability level and available free time. The 'lightest' option is as simple as it gets TEXT BSME99 and the amount you wish to donate, for example BSME99 £5, to 70070. Then smugly put your feet up and do nothing for as long as you wish in the comfort of knowing you are doing it for charity and supporting people with ME and biomedical ME research!

Wrist Bands

Blue "www.investinme.org - Support Biomedical Research into ME" wrist bands are available in packs of 5 from Invest in ME. We also have a wide selection of other awareness bands and bracelets available from Make ME Crafts a website set up to sell crafts in support of LDIFME and Invest in ME. Whether it's paracord or pearls that float your boat wear them with pride and sell them to friends, family, work colleagues - even in your local library, GP surgery or hospital.

Bumper Stickers

Buy yourself, your friends or family one of these awareness raising car bumper stickers to highlight the need for biomedical ME research all year round, versions are also available with Invest in ME's details on.

Voices from the Shadows

DVDs of the award winning documentary film Voices from the Shadows are available at a minimum cost for individuals to buy for themselves, their friends and family and to give to professionals to view privately. Copies are also available with public performance rights - i.e. for use in libraries, screening at conferences, use within an educational institution, training sessions for professionals, screenings for ME groups etc. both from the VftS Shop. The film can also be watched worldwide online at MUBI

Lost Voices

Voices from the Shadows film developed from Lost Voices a book available from Invest in ME that contains stories and photographs from people with severe ME and their families and carers. Art has the power to move people, and combined with documentation Lost Voices brings the situation more vividly to life.

And of course you can always point people towards this site or share this post via email, twitter or Facebook. Or maybe even Pin some of our pictures if you've joined the virtual pinboard site Pinterest - all of these sharing options are available from the 'Share It' gadget directly under the blue Donate button at the top of the right side bar  ---> 

However you decide to raise awareness this year - Let's do it for ME!

Dr. Betty Dowsett 1920-2012

Dr. Elizabeth Dowsett passed away 14th June, aged 91, and her loss is keenly felt by the ME patient community. IiME (Research) Charity said,

“Her voice was a constant force in support of ME and ME patients over the years”.

Born in Newport Gwent, Dr. Dowsett studied medicine at Edinburgh University and worked as a GP in London before becoming a consultant microbiologist. She developed considerable experience and expertise in ME, seeing thousands of patients from the 1960s onwards, and working with other experts in the field, such as Dr. John Richardson and Dr. Melvin Ramsay.

Following her retirement, Dr. Dowsett continued to lecture and advise patients and professionals about ME. She worked with Jane Colby of The Young ME Sufferers Trust on a ground-breaking study into ME as the cause of major long-term sickness absence from school, published in 1997. In 2001, she was the key speaker at the launch of the Welsh Association of ME and CFS Support in the National Assembly and continued as an adviser to WAMES.

Dr Dowsett attended the very first IiME conference as Invest in ME's guest of honour and her name will be found in innumerable articles and references on ME on the IiME website. In this article, co-authored by Jane Colby, Dr. Dowsett wrote:

“In the absence of a straight cure for ME, researchers have focused on psychological therapies, touted as cures by irresponsible practitioners and reported as such in the media. Like Invest in ME and The Young ME Sufferers Trust, I believe that enough is enough. It is time to focus attention on the physical nature of the illness, and particularly in my opinion, on the microbiology as well as the host factors and the effects. Early identification of infecting organisms, especially in children, who are the epicentre of this illness, is vital”.

Dr. Dowsett had an interest in human enteroviral infections and co-authored a paper published in 1990 titled Myalgic encephalomyelitis – a persistent enteroviral infection?  From the Abstract:

“This illness is distinguished from a variety of other post-viral states by an unique clinical and epidemiological pattern characteristic of enteroviral infection. Prompt recognition and advice to avoid over-exertion is mandatory. Routine diagnosis, specific therapy and prevention, await further technical advances.”

One of the first studies planned by Invest in ME at the centre of excellence in East Anglia will be on enteroviruses.  The Let's do it for ME campaign is helping to raise funds for this research, and we are pleased to able to announce today that we have just reached half-way mark to our initial funding target for the research strategy to begin. We are proud to be playing our part in helping Invest in ME charity to take this important work forward and we thank you and everyone taking part for your support.

Dr. Dowsett's funeral takes place on Friday, 29th June. Her family have asked that donations be made directly to the ME charity of choice in place of flowers. Cards may be sent to:

The Family of Betty Dowsett,
c/o The Cottenham Court Nursing Home
High Street
Cottenham
Cambridge
CB24 8SS (but do not send donations with your cards)

Please click  here for options to donate to Invest in ME for biomedical ME research.

Our sincere condolences go Dr. Dowsett's family and our grateful thanks to them for thinking of ME patients at this sad time.

Thank you also for your support.

The Team at Let's do it for ME.

Make ME Crafts

Make ME, Break M.E.

A new website, http://www.MakeMECrafts.com, features art, crafts and products made by M.E. sufferers and their family and friends, with profits being donated to 'Invest in ME' to help fund a UK M.E. centre of excellence for biomedical research and treatment.

Make ME's aim is to draw focus to the little things that people with this condition can accomplish, bit by bit, instead of the bigger things they can't; to shift attention to the positive ways that the bed-bound can still make a difference.

Being ill doesn't mean you have to stop being creative!

These courageous people are sending their lovingly created crafts out into a world they can't be part of, to raise awareness and fight for real and effective M.E. treatments.

Crafts on 'Make ME' are made and listed by sufferers at their own pace, as they complete them, with many sellers working on projects a little at a time, as and when they're able. Unlike in the working world, there is absolutely no rush - no pressure. There are no demands to perform or time-constraints within which something has to be finished, giving them the flexibility to manage activities around their health.

It's not about how fast you can do something, it's about how well you can do something. These people may be ill, but they certainly haven't lost their talent, their passion or their creativity. They just can't manage things on the same scale as healthy people. They may not be able to keep up with the break-neck pace of the world outside, but that doesn't mean they can't do something constructive; something worthwhile, bit by bit. To borrow a phrase from a well known supermarket: "Every little helps".

'Make ME' is about doing something rewarding for a good cause; allowing sufferers to find some purpose again and changing the way they're seen in the community. It's about showing people that underneath every broken shell is a real person trying to get out, to express themselves, to reclaim something of what they've lost and achieve some level of normality; to create and be a part of something wonderful in this world, as others are able to.

Arts and crafts have proven to be very therapeutic, offering catharsis to a great many people from all backgrounds. Making things creates a real sense of accomplishment - something that's very important for all of us to retain, especially if we're unable to achieve much in other areas of our lives.

'Make ME' was set up by sufferer Jon Watson. It was initially launched as a Facebook page, to centralise crafts being sold for 'Invest in ME', but having proven to be a hit the project now has its own website at http://www.makemecrafts.com

The 'Make ME' project is part of the 'Let's do itfor ME!' patient driven campaign supporting the pioneering M.E. charity 'Invest in ME' (Charity No. 1114035), who are leading the charge for invaluable translational biomedical research into M.E. They plan to open an M.E. centre of excellence right here in the UK, the first of its kind in Europe. With your help they hope to revolutionise the diagnosis, treatment and care of M.E. and raise awareness and understanding of this debilitating condition.

'Make ME' is expected to expand and grow as part of its natural development, with the possibility of fairs/shows/workshops/tutorials/meets/forums/blogs and much, much more in the future, all painstakingly managed around the fluctuating health of participants.

Their most recent campaign 'Hug ME' calls for handmade soft toys and cuddly things for sale, auction or donation to a young person with M.E. - to help bring a smile to a suffering child.

Let's support these incredible people 'doing it for ME', working not just to improve their own situation but that of many others suffering from this disease all around the world, bringing hope and pride to sufferers everywhere.

Buy some goods, tell your friends, donate materials or get involved!

All crafters are welcomed with open arms and open hearts. Seller registration and item listing is free, as long as you agree to donate a portion of your profits to 'Invest in ME'.

If you wish to donate crafts or materials, or feel you can contribute in some other way, please do get in touch with them via their website, or email admin@makemecrafts.com

They'd be grateful of any support you can provide.

See what's on offer, find out more, get inspired or sign up for their newsletter by hopping on over to http://www.makemecrafts.com

You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter!

http://www.facebook.com/MakeMECrafts

http://www.twitter.com/MakeMECrafts

TopCashback - Raise money for free.

TopCashBack is the UK's most generous cashback website and is recommended by Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert.  So if you buy on line this a great way of earning money for Let's do it for ME / Invest in ME's Biomedical Research Fund.  With really great offers and the highest percentages paid out each time you by online.

Over 3300 online merchants and it's completely free.

No Strings - No catches - No Spam.

Just 3 easy steps

Join for Free (Just a few simple details)

Buy online (Log in to your TopCashBack online account and start searching for the merchant or product)

Get Cash Back.

So please sign up for TopCashBack using the link below and TopCashBack will donate £10 to Invest in ME once you have reached £10 in your cash back account. You then have a choice you can receive all of the money in your account yourself or you opt to donate all or a percentage of the money you have accrued direct to Invest in ME (option available in your account)

Start earning money now by sign up here TopCashback for Invest in ME.

There will be a banner stating - You have been referred by ''IiME''

As they say it's a no brainer :o)

Peter's Kilimanjaro Challenge

Update:

£2,365.00 inc. gift aid raised so far by Peter's Kilimanjaro challenge and money still coming in, including £50 from Ed Milliband on the 11th July. Peter is doing well, although not back out walking he has been out jogging. More funds to be collected at Barnsley Football Club where Peter is the chaplain.

Despite it being very tough going Peter made it to within 400 metres of the summit before finally succumbing to altitude sickness, he was so disappointed. He is home safe and sound but still suffering from the altitude sickness. Thank you to everyone who sponsored him.

--------------

Once again our superhero Peter Amos (Paul Kayes' brother-in-law) is raising funds for Let's do it for ME / Invest in ME's Biomedical Research Fund.

This is what he wrote -

In my 65th year, the year of my retirement, I am setting myself my most severe challenge yet to raise money for Invest in M.E.

On 2nd June I set off from Heathrow, arriving at Kilimanjaro airport in the late evening of the same day. After travelling to the start of the Rongai route I begin the first 2000ft of ascent up the highest mountain in Africa, standing at 19,341ft. Day two sees us climbing a further 2400 and day 3 - 3100 ft. This is where altitude problems could provide serious problems, hence an easier day which sees us climb 1000ft and return to the campsite to aid the acclimatisation process. On Day 5 we climb 3200 ft and then walk around the mountain rim for one and a half hours to reach the actual peak. It will be your donations that drive me on when I feel I can go no further.

We descend to our camp site and then further to our final camp. On the last day we descend 5700 ft before returning to our hotel and then straight home.

Having trained hard in Snowdonia my feet are already severely battered. So a few prayers might be needed too.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. An even bigger thanks if you were willing to support such a very good cause.

Peter Amos.

Donations can be made through Peter's JustGiving page by clicking here

You can also text your donation

To: 70070 pakc65 £ amount

for example PAKC65 £5 to 70070

 At the training camp where Peter is picking up a few tips from Paul & Paul's dad Richard

Scott's Marvellous Scottish May Marathon for ME!

Scott Handcock

On a ridiculously hot day in Edinburgh last Sunday, 27th May, Scott Handcock ran 26 miles to complete his first ever marathon in 4 hours 47 minutes and 53 seconds!

In his first blog entry of the year in January, freelance writer / director / producer and "occasional voice-monkey", Scott explained why he was doing this in addition to his usual type of "Big Finish" production:

"I'm running for a friend of mine - Jac Rayner - who oddly, I've never met properly, but have worked with a lot over the last year. We're doing a lot to raise awareness (and hopefully money) for M.E. related charities over the coming year, particularly a new project - Let's Do It For ME - which is looking for much-needed funding.

"It's a condition that isn't commonly understood, which is one of the reasons I'm running. Obviously I want to raise money, but if people just go to look at my page and read about how M.E. affects people, and spread the word, that in itself is useful. So please, whilst you're here, click the link below and read about what I'm running for. And if you're able to donate, please do. Thanks. S x"

Huge thanks to Scott, his wonderful family and friends, and all those whose generous donations helped exceed his target by raising a total of £2,194 + £456 in Gift Aid!

In her blog, Jac wrote, "The money is wonderful, but the awareness he’s raised has been brilliant too – I know a lot of people can’t afford to donate (or keep on donating), but their understanding is just as appreciated. And as someone who hated running even back when I *could* run, I am in awe anyone who is prepared to put themselves through something like this anyway."

You may recognise some names from the list of sponsors, especially of you are a fan of Dr. Who ...

http://www.justgiving.com/scott-handcock

... and / or if you recall the announcement in March of another project that we are really excited about ..

Big Finish helps our Big Cause

A Big THANK YOU Scott and your sponsors for such sterling support!

Let's do it for ME!