supporting The Tymes Trust is Registered Charity No.1080985 Tymes Trust Head Office: 9 Patching Hall Lane, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4DH

M.E. ME (MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY - the illness originally known as myalgic encephalomyelitis and now often lost under the umbrella term 'chronic fatigue syndrome') is a condition of uncertain cause(s) affecting many thousands of people of all ages. Severe and debilitating fatigue, painful muscles and joints, disordered sleep, gastric disturbances, poor memory and concentration are commonplace. In many cases, onset is linked to a viral infection. Other triggers may include an operation or an accident, although some people experience a slow, insidious onset. Effects In many people, lives are changed drastically: schooling and higher education can be severely disrupted; employment becomes impossible for many. For all, social and family life becomes restricted and in some cases severely strained. People may be housebound or confined to bed for months or years. Prognosis Recovery is variable and unpredictable: some people may recover completely, although it may take a number of months or years; in the majority, recovery is only partial and typically follows a slow course of variable improvement and relapse; a significant minority remain severely affected. Treatment There is currently no accepted cure and no universally effective treatment. Indeed, such is the diverse nature of the illness, a treatment which may be helpful in one person may be counterproductive in another. Research Whilst research to date has offered some interesting observations, the illness remains poorly understood and there is much still to learn. The charitable aim of this ride is to raise money for further research into the cause(s), treatment and cure of ME. The above information is closely based on 'ME/CFS - An Overview', an article published on the website of The ME Association. Further Organisations for People with ME The Tymes Trust (please see our Beneficiaries for further information) An organisation for children and young people with ME, and their carers. Tymes Trust, 9 Patching Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 4DH tel/fax: 01245 263482 e-mail jane@youngactiononline.com website: youngactiononline.com have information on the Tymes Trust at their website, and you can register for membership of Tymes Trust there if you wish. Westcare UK 155 Whiteladies Road Bristol BS8 2RF tel: 0117 9239341      fax: 0117 923 9347 e-mail info@westcareuk.org.uk website: www.westcareuk.org.uk The ME Association 4 Top Angel, Buckingham Industrial Park, Buckingham, MK18 1TH tel: 01280 816115     fax: 01280 821602 e-mail meconnect@meassociation.org.uk website: www.meassociation.org.uk Action for ME PO Box 1302, Wells, Somerset BA5 1YE tel: 01749 670799     fax:  01749 672561 e-mail info@afme.org.uk website: www.afme.org.uk ME Friends "...is a Sussex (South Coast of England) based website for people with ME/CFS & their carers from all around the world. The main purpose of the site is to provide a safe and friendly place online for people with ME and related illness to meet for support, information .... & just as importantly a few good laughs!! At the moment we meet every Wednesday night at 8.00pm (BST)" e-mail ally@mefriends.net website: www.mefriends.net