Welcome to the fundraising page for ‘Gargunnock’s Alternative Christmas Card’. Myalgic Encephalopathy (or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) affects people of all ages. Symptoms include severe and debilitating fatigue, extremely painful muscles and joints, sleep disturbance, stomach upset, poor memory and poor concentration. Often ME's onset is triggered by a viral infection but sometimes it can take hold following an operation or an accident. Sometimes there is no apparent trigger. The illness can cause severe disruption to people’s lives, with education or employment being impossible and some sufferers being housebound or confined to bed.

It seems that there has been little progress, either in the search for a cure or in the level of support for sufferers, in the ten years since Alan Cumming - a popular and well-respected member of the Gargunnock community -  took his own life after being completely floored by ME.  For that reason, our village is donating funds, raised through a series of events over the Christmas period, to The ME Association.  

Our 'Alternative Christmas Card' has raised over £10,000 for various charities over the past ten years (including CHAS, The Scottish Cot Death Trust and The British Heart Foundation) so it is fitting that we are joining with other events in the village this year to donate to the organisation that funds vital research and provides essential support to ME sufferers and their families.

Thank you VERY much for your donation, and I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a happy - and healthy - 2016 when it comes. 

Jane x