Charities

Where there's an illness or condition, there's likely a charity and for CFS/ME sufferers there is Action for M.E. As their website states, they are an organisation led by people who suffer from ME, for people with ME.

The website offers a plethora of information on the condition both for sufferers and their friends and family who may be looking for ways to help their loved ones.

There are some fundraising ideas on there - a few are connected to running marathons or other long distances, which I assume are ideas for those supporting sufferers rather than for sufferers themselves. Just the idea of running for the bus is tiring enough, even for me who only has a mild case of PVFS! But there are plenty of fundraising ideas that require much less energy - or 'spoons' which is a term I'm very new to, but it does make a lot of sense!

There's still a lot to learn about CFS/ME so the idea of fundraising to help with research and awareness can only be a good thing. Bake sales are always a brilliant way to raise money - baking can be quite relaxing and everyone loves to eat cake and is willing to spend their hard earned cash on yummy home baked goods.

If you have a relatively mild version and are able to work then why not suggest holding a bake sale and asking others to help and bake their favourites to sell? With all proceeds going to Action for M.E of course. If you're not able to work then perhaps ask family and friends to hold a bake sale in your honour? :)

Prior to getting ill at the beginning of the year, I had a fledgling cake business which I really enjoyed but have since had to take a huge step back on due to much lower energy levels and tiredness. I hope one day to get back up to strength and get back on the cake horse :) so it's no surprise I'd be a big advocate of the bake sale

But there are other options, like a having a raffle or a fancy dress party, or an auction, or a 'night-in' or a dress down day at work (a pyjama/dressing gown day would be ideal for CFS/ME sufferers! lol). If, as a sufferer, you want to be involved in raising money for this charity, then you have to think about what you think you can physically do (think about your spoons), what others can help you to organise or what you can organise others to do for you.

Together, we might just be able to beat this thing