2025 Advent Calendar: Week #3

We're opening the third week of doors on our #ThereForME advent calendar

Today we’re opening up the third week of doors in our 2025 Advent Calendar!

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been opening the doors of our advent calendar every morning on our social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X and Bluesky). For those who prefer to take their advent calendar in stages, we’ve got a weekly roundup for you here on our Substack.

All of our advent calendar stars have been nominated by the community for being #ThereForME throughout 2025.

December 10

Behind our tenth door is Dr Sally Witcher. Sally is the founder of Inclusive New Normal, a social enterprise aiming to drive forward learning from the pandemic, towards a safe, inclusive new normal.

Sally was nominated by Michiel who left this message:

“Dear Sally, Thank you for representing pandemic disabled people at Inclusive New Normal, inc. those with Long Covid and ME. Your invaluable experience and connections have made sure our voices are heard by the Scottish government & ADP review! 🩵”

A special thanks to Sally for sending us this glorious festive snap!

December 11

Behind door number 11 is the DecodeME team. Earlier this year the team, based at the University of Edinburgh, released groundbreaking research findings, revealing distinct genetic signals in people with ME.

The DecodeME study brought hope this year to people with ME across the UK. The findings are a major step forwards, pointing to clear avenues for future research. The DecodeME team was nominated by Michael:

“Dear Chris Ponting & the DecodeME team, Your DecodeME findings are a huge scientific and emotional milestone for people with ME. Thank you for driving research and hope — we’re grateful you’re #ThereForME.”

December 12

Behind door 12 is Rowan Wyatt, who was nominated by his partner Keren:

“Dear Rowan, you have loved and taken care of me through all the downs and downs (there haven’t been many ups) of this illness. More than that, seen past it for who I really am. You mean the absolute world to me and I love you. Thank you, Keren xx ”

December 13

Behind our thirteenth door is Jan Russell. Jan is the Chair of the Welsh Association of ME and CFS Support (WAMES), a charity working to give a national voice to people with ME in Wales, their carers and families. Jan was nominated by Dee Montague-Coast in recognition of WAMES’ stellar work:

“Diolch o galon for all you and WAMES do for people living with ME across Wales! We’d be lost without you, and we wouldn’t have ME in the NHS Wales Women’s Health Plan without the work of your tiny but mighty charity. Thank you all for everything.”

Jan’s nomination provides an opportunity to share recent news from Wales, where last week the Senedd, led by Adam Price MS, debated severe and very severe ME. The discussions reflected a strong call for the Welsh Government to ensure that the Adferiad-funded ME services are making provision appropriate to the needs of patients with severe and very severe ME. You can watch the debate here via Adam (AKA Broken Battery).

December 14

Behind door number 14 is Marlene! Marlene was nominated by her son Gav, who lives with ME. Gav wanted to thank his mum for all of her care and support in 2025:

“Mum - thank you for supporting me unconditionally, for looking after my pets and for cleaning my house when I couldn’t. Your unwavering support when I was finding it hard to shine makes you being my Mum sublime. X”

December 15

Behind door number 15 is the fabulous Nicky Proctor! Nicky is an advocate for people with ME, who has provided invaluable help as a volunteer to various ME organisations (including #ThereForME). We’re delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate Nicky’s hard work.

Nicky was nominated by Odette and the York ME Community, who left her this message:

“Nicky, you’re a supreme advocate for pwME - continuously striving to educate, inform & instigate change across every sector & level, be it friend/peer groups to healthcare providers & their management plus local MPs. You are amazing in every way.”

In case you missed her, earlier this year Nicky was featured on the Guardian’s Science Weekly podcast, where she discussed her experiences with ME and her participation in the DecodeME study.

December 16

Finally, behind door number 16 is the one and only Fran Haddock. Fran lives with severe ME and is a tireless advocate for the community (you can follow her on Instagram). Fran was nominated by Wren:

“Dear Fran, Through absolutely everything, I’ve been amazed at your constant effort to show up for your friends and your community. You care more than anybody I’ve ever met, and you motivate me to be so much braver, kinder and louder. Love you xx”

Thanks for being #ThereForME, Fran!

December 17

You’ll have to wait! We’ll be back next Wednesday with our final round of advent calendar stars.

Or, if you have social media and aren’t following us already, you can follow along daily on Instagram, Twitter/X, Bluesky and Facebook. Keep your eyes peeled at 9am tomorrow for our next advent calendar reveal.

We’ll see you next time.