The short version
- Over 350 athletes and coaches have petitioned the UK Prime Minister to meet with former Olympian Beth Dobbin and increase funding for ME research.
- The campaign highlights a significant disparity in government spending, noting that ME received only £6.6 million between 2019 and 2024 compared to hundreds of millions for dementia and Parkinson's.
- Dobbin, who spends most days bedbound due to the condition, reports severe physical deterioration following her public disclosure of the illness, underscoring the disease's volatility.
A significant coalition of British sports figures has formally requested that Prime Minister Andy Burnham address the chronic underfunding of research into myalgic encephalomyelitis. More than 350 individuals, including prominent Olympians and professional coaches, have signed a letter calling for a meeting with former sprinter Beth Dobbin and a commitment to elevate financial support for the condition. The campaign seeks to correct what signatories describe as a long-standing neglect of a disease that affects hundreds of thousands in the United Kingdom.
The initiative was sparked by Dobbin’s recent public disclosure of her diagnosis. The 32-year-old athlete, who previously competed at the Olympic level, now spends more than 22 hours each day in bed due to the severity of her symptoms. She initially wrote to the Prime Minister on October 21 but received no response. The subsequent letter from the sports community aims to amplify her voice and pressure the government into action, leveraging the collective influence of high-profile figures across various disciplines.
ME is a complex, fluctuating disorder characterized by severe fatigue that does not improve with rest, along with cognitive difficulties, pain, and sleep disturbances. There is currently no known cure or specific approved treatment for the condition. Estimates suggest that more than 400,000 people in the UK live with ME, though some experts believe the true number could exceed one million. The severity of the illness varies widely, ranging from individuals who can maintain employment to those requiring constant care and tube feeding.
The letter emphasizes a dramatic imbalance in research allocation. According to data cited by the campaigners, UK government funders committed just £6.6 million to ME research between 2019 and 2024. In contrast, funding for Parkinson’s disease reached £79.1 million during the same period, while dementia received £496.4 million. Prior to this recent window, biomedical research funding for ME was described as almost non-existent. The signatories argue that this lack of investment has left patients without effective treatments and hope.
Among those endorsing the plea are Everton manager David Moyes, US Women’s National Team coach Emma Hayes, and former England defender Millie Bright. The group also includes 114 Olympians and Paralympians, such as sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and diver Tom Daley. Their involvement signals a broad-based concern within the sporting community about the impact of chronic illness on athletes and the wider public.
Dobbin has faced significant personal costs for speaking out. Patients with ME often experience 'crashes' triggered by minimal exertion, including conversation or sensory stimuli like bright lights or loud sounds. Since her interview, Dobbin reported several difficult days and a reduction in physical strength, allowing her to bathe only once a week. She noted that while she has not yet suffered a full-blown crash, the mental and cognitive toll has forced her to withdraw further physically.
The response from the public and patient communities has been substantial. Dobbin described receiving thousands of messages of support from around the world, including from North America and Europe. Karen Hargrave, co-founder of the charity ThereForME, praised Dobbin’s advocacy and called on the government to close a £15 million funding gap for a specific research program. She emphasized that successive administrations have failed people with ME and urged the current leadership to prioritize this issue.
Government officials have previously acknowledged the severity of the condition. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated that ME can have a devastating impact on lives and expressed determination to accelerate progress in understanding and treating it. The department highlighted support for cutting-edge research, including studies on genetic factors and clinical trials for potential new treatments. However, campaigners argue that current efforts remain insufficient relative to the scale of the disease.
The campaign represents a growing movement to level the playing field for ME research funding. By drawing attention to the disparity in financial support compared to other major health conditions, athletes and advocates hope to secure tangible commitments from the Prime Minister. The outcome of this petition could influence future budget allocations and signal a shift in how the government prioritizes chronic, debilitating illnesses that lack effective medical interventions.
As the letter circulates, attention remains on whether the Prime Minister will agree to meet with Dobbin and address the funding shortfall. The situation underscores the challenges faced by patients with rare or poorly understood conditions who rely on public advocacy to drive policy change. With no approved treatments available, increased research investment is viewed by many as a critical step toward improving outcomes for those affected by this life-altering disease.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Sportspeople back Dobbin's PM plea on ME funding
