Christmas Campaign Week #4

Merry Christmas!

We hope you’ve enjoyed following our advent calendar and witnessing the support for people with ME and Long Covid along the way.

In this final update, we’re excited to reveal the last #ThereForME supporters and their Christmas messages behind doors 18–24, as well as the completed advent calendar!

December 18th

It’s Steve Race MP! Steve is Labour MP for Exeter, where our co-founder Emma is a constituent. His message:

“Wishing everyone with ME and Long Covid a very happy Christmas and hope for systemic change within the health service to better support all patients. Best, Steve Race MP”

Steve has been #ThereForME in parliament this year, asking questions about research funding.

December 19th

It’s Fiona Hamilton and Eleanor Hayward from The Times. We’re very grateful to Fiona and Eleanor for reporting on ME and Long Covid this year. They’ve helped to ensure that what people with ME and Long Covid are facing and what we need is far more widely understood. Their message:

“Wishing those with ME and Long Covid a Merry Christmas. And hope for a clear strategy and funding boost for research in 2025. Fiona Hamilton and Ellie Hayward”

Our campaign's first bit of media coverage this year came from Eleanor Hayward who covered Karen and James’ story. She later followed this up with a piece on Oonagh (featuring a very glamorous photoshoot!).

December 20th

It's TV doctor Dr Ranj Singh! Dr Ranj is also an author and columnist, and has appeared on BBC’s Strictly. His message:

“You are so much more than your condition. And you deserve to be heard. Merry Xmas, Dr Ranj x”

Dr Ranj has spoken about his experiences with Long Covid: "We call it brain fog colloquially but that probably doesn't do it justice [...] essentially you're losing the executive functions of your brain."

December 21st

Tessa Munt is #ThereForME in parliament! Tessa is Liberal Democrat MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, and has been a staunch ally. Her message:

“Let’s get people with ME into the light in 2025! Tessa x”

Last month Tessa gave us a reason to be cheerful, tabling questions in parliament and promising to "hold feet to the fire".

Tessa has recently joined the newly reconstituted APPG on ME as an Officer. The APPG met for the first time last week, with some promising topics discussed:

• Pushing for a Select Committee inquiry, echoing our #ThereForME letter signed by 28 organisations

• Launching an APPG inquiry into severe ME

• Focusing on the implementation of the upcoming ME Delivery Plan

Minutes available here.

December 22nd

It’s Rachel Parris! Rachel is an English comedian, musician, actress and presenter. Her message:

“I wish peace, relief, support and to be heard. I hope Santa brings you real help, systemic change and JOY where possible.”

We know that ME disproportionately impacts women, shaping experiences people with ME have in healthcare. Rachel Parris has spoken publically about misogyny - making both jokes and serious points about how knackering it can be to be a woman in society.

December 23rd

It’s our very own #ThereForME ambassador Dr. Binita Kane! Binita is a doctor with a special interest in Long Covid and ME. She’s also a champion for patient voice. Her message:

“A special shout out to children and young people with Long Covid / ME this Christmas. You are so brave and lots of us are fighting for you.”

Binita is a veteran of the BBC Breakfast sofa and first collaborated with us for World Patient Safety on a letter signed by over 200 healthcare workers. We're still waiting for your response, Wes Streeting!

December 24th

It’s Krishmas Eve! Krishnan Guru-Murthy, journalist, broadcaster, presenter, and former Strictly star, is definitely #ThereForME. His message:

“Happy Christmas! Keep fighting! Lots of love Krishnan Guru-Murthy”

Earlier this year our co-founder Karen spoke to Krishnan on Channel 4 News about the lack of understanding about ME in the NHS and how exhausting that can be as a carer.

Just one reason why we need an NHS that's #ThereForME.

And it’s a wrap!

We hope you’ve enjoyed our #ThereForME advent calendar! We’ll be passing on some of your lovely comments to our advent calendar stars in the new year, so please do let us know what the advent calendar has meant for you in the comments.

Our team will be taking a (much-needed!) break over the festive season, so you might notice we’re a little quieter on social media over the next week. We’re looking forward to seeing you again in 2025. Until next time!