Its always difficult to know what to do in ME Awareness Week to attract maximum coverage in the media to raise awareness of the condition.
This year however, we had not only our Abseil to promote – we changed the venue and added the attraction of bungee jumping – why would you want to throw yourself off a bridge and call it fun ????. But, we included a couple of “new” ventures…..
Firstly, we manned a display area in a local shopping mall, which attracted many people who were unaware of the services we offered and helped raised awareness of the illness. – you can read below for more details.
However, the “biggy” for us was the launch of our long awaited DVD – we knew we were onto a winner with this one and boy were we right – so many newspapers and radio stations covered the story for us.
An added bonus, was the Launch Party, not only attended by local celebrity Trai Anfield – who gave an emotional closing speech, and the fantastic Pudsey Bear, but…..seeing so many of you and your family there was truly amazing. I know that many of you have kept in contact with one another and that’s just great news!

Many, many thanks to all those who volunteered (or gently persuaded) to
be interviewed to make it happen!!!

Tuesday 13th May - Information Stand at the Galleries Shopping Centre, Washington

During the lead up to Awareness Week we had wanted a location to set up an information stand to offer advice, support and literature to members of the public in an area that potentially would have a large flow of traffic. Through a contact at the Galleries Shopping Centre this idea became a reality and our team were able to set up base outside a great location near to a large supermarket.

Throughout the day we handed out our own ME North East literature and raised over £50 through the sale of trolley coins and collection tins. Our ME North East Banner also caused the general public to take a quick glance and notice our presence. However our main objective was to increase awareness of the illness and the service we offer and we did just that.

We met so many lovely individuals, some who had been sufferers for years, others who had family members that were ill with the condition (and took away literature for them) and some who were newly diagnosed who just wanted to talk. We hope that in some way we made a positive difference on the day. We also recruited two people to take part in the abseil event the following Sunday!

Tuesday 13th May - DVD Launch Party

We finally got there – the DVD was finished and we wanted to celebrate and thank our young people for all their hard work and effort. We decided that this was the ideal week to have the launch party and to invite health professionals, teachers, support staff, young people, parents and family members. As our young people’s group is supported by BBC Children in Need we also invited Pudsey Bear who was free on the night and a big surprise to many! Adam Chetter (TalentStar) the producer of the DVD was also in attendance along with our Patron Trai Anfield who made a speech on the night. Trai has played an important role in the making of the DVD and features at the beginning of the film before introducing the 7 young people who spoke about how ME affects their lives.

Attendance on the night was fantastic with over 70 people and the feedback from parents, young people etc was incredible. So many people are wanting copies for schools/colleges, family members, friends etc. It can be used as an alternative tool for educating individuals about living with ME/CFS.

Prior to the launch, press releases were sent out to a number of local papers and radio stations with the hope that they would run with the incredible success of the project and determination of the young people that took part – and they did! The Northern Echo attended on the night and subsequently the Evening Gazette and Newcastle Evening Chronicle covered the story later. We just love seeing our name and young people up in lights!!!!

Sunday 18th May - Transporter Bridge Abseil/Bungee Jump

The weeks big fundraising event was moved to a new location. A change from the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle we headed south to the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge and challenged individuals to take part in a much higher abseil or bungee jump! Unfortunately for many individuals hoping the weather would cancel the event they were let down by glorious blue skies although it was cold! When we initially decided to open the gates to allow people the option to bungee jump we were not optimistic that many would come forward, however nearly half of all applicants bungee jumped to our surprise! In addition to that, they loved it!

The organisers on the day were fantastic and the event ran very smoothly. Jennifer our Chief Executive was the first one down to abseil and from then on everyone followed. We raised an additional £35 on the day through donations and the sale of trolley coins and were impressed with the turn out of supporters and the distance families had travelled.

Special thanks and congratulations go to our young members who took part and to sisters and brothers who did it on behalf of their siblings. You were all amazing. Lucy Smith one of our young members was an inspiration – now on the road to recovery and off to University soon she took part in the bungee jump and raised over £300. Lyndsey Tanner another young sufferer took the abseil in her stride and came down easily and quickly.

Through some media activity we were also able to have the event publicised in both the Middlesbrough Gazette and the Northern Echo. This again helped to increase awareness of the event, the charity and the illness. The Hartlepool Mail also ran a larger article on one of our older members whilst highlighting the abseil/bungee jump.

Thank you again to all those who took part and supported us. As sponsorship money still comes in we will hopefully be able to give you a total amount raised from the event very soon.