Rachel V Thomas

Health and Me

Beth Dobbin's Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Campaign Gains Support From 360 Sportspeople: Why Are They Urging UK PM To Act?

Former British Olympic sprinter <span>Beth Dobbin</span>, diagnosed with <span>myalgic encephalomyelitis</span> (ME), spends more than 22 hours a day in bed because of the debilitating condition. She is urging UK Prime Minister <span>Andy Burnham</span> to meet her and commit to increased government funding for ME research.

Following <span>Dobbin</span>'s October 21 appeal, 360 sportspeople have signed a letter backing her campaign. The group includes 114 Olympians and Paralympians, who have won a combined 77 medals.

In a post on X, Dobbin expressed surprise at the response, saying: “I can’t believe 360 people signed in just 1 week, so many amazing names and messages still coming in of people wanting to add theirs (so feel free to message to add yours, we’re keeping on the pressure!!!)”

The 32-year-old retired from athletics in April 2026, describing her illness as “serious” and “life-changing”, BBC Sport reported. She had reached the 200m semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and won bronze in the 4x200m relay with Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

<h2>360 Sportspeople Back Beth Dobbin's Call For ME Research Funding</h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/swimmer-archie-goodburns-plea-prompts-uk-action-to-speed-up-brain-cancer-treatment-article-156346903" data-type="tilCustomLink">Swimmer Archie Goodburn’s Plea Prompts UK Brain Cancer Research Review</a>

Among the signatories are Everton manager David Moyes, United States women's national football team manager Emma Hayes, former Chelsea and England centre-back Millie Bright, athletes Laura Muir, Eilish McColgan and Adam Gemili, Olympic sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and diver Tom Daley.

The letter calls on Burnham to “level the playing field” for ME research funding compared with other illnesses and “give hope to the many affected that something is being done about this life-destroying, much-ignored illness and its spiralling impact”.

It highlights the disparity in government research funding between ME and other conditions.

“Between 2019 to 2024, UK government research funders committed just £6.6m in funding for research into ME, compared to £79.1m for Parkinson's and £496.4m for dementia,” the letter states.

It adds that biomedical research funding for ME was “almost non-existent” before this period and that the lack of investment has contributed to the absence of approved treatments.

Dobbin's health began deteriorating after back-to-back COVID-19 and glandular fever infections during the winter of 2021-22, she told BBC Sport.

She experienced worsening fatigue, slower running times and soreness in the glands in her neck and armpits. Initial tests by British Athletics doctors failed to identify the cause.

Despite her symptoms, she continued training in 2022. At the European Championships, she false-started after losing all feeling in her legs while in the starting blocks.

Her condition continued to worsen. She struggled to stand and spent most of her time in bed. After consulting four or five specialists, she was diagnosed with ME.

Dobbin has since been largely confined to her home and bed. Even conversations, bright lights and loud sounds can trigger a “crash” lasting days or, in severe cases, months. According to BBC Sport, she has left her house just five times this year, mainly for medical appointments and blood tests.

<strong>Read More</strong>: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/spanish-striker-jesus-de-miguel-dies-after-on-field-collision-can-a-blow-to-the-chest-trigger-cardiac-arrest-article-156459393" data-type="tilCustomLink">Spanish Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies After On-Field Collision: Can A Blow To The Chest Trigger Cardiac Arrest?</a>

<h2>What Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)?</h2>

ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a complex, chronic illness that can cause severe fatigue, pain, sleep disturbances and problems with thinking and memory.

Symptoms do not improve with rest and can fluctuate in severity. While some people can continue working or studying, others experience severe disability and may require round-the-clock care or tube feeding.

There is no known cure or specific approved treatment for ME. More than 400,000 people in the UK are thought to have the condition, although the actual number could exceed one million.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson previously told BBC Sport: “Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) can have a devastating impact on people's lives, and we are determined to accelerate progress in understanding and treating this debilitating condition.”

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Former British Olympic sprinter Beth Dobbin, diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), spends more than 22 hours a day in bed because of the debilitating condition. She is urging UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to meet her and commit to increased government funding for ME research.Following Dobbin's October 21 appeal, 360 sportspeople have signed a letter backing her campaign. The group includes 114 Olympians and Paralympians, who have won a combined 77 medals.In a post on X, Dobbin expressed surprise at the response, saying: “I can’t believe 360 people signed in just 1 week, so many amazing names and messages still coming in of people wanting to add theirs (so feel free to message to add yours, we’re keeping on the pressure!!!)”The 32-year-old retired from athletics in April 2026, describing her illness as “serious” and “life-changing”, BBC Sport reported. She had reached the 200m semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and won bronze in the 4x200m relay with Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.360 Sportspeople Back Beth Dobbin's Call For ME Research FundingAlso read: Swimmer Archie Goodburn’s Plea Prompts UK Brain Cancer Research ReviewAmong the signatories are Everton manager David Moyes, United States women's national football team manager Emma Hayes, former Chelsea and England centre-back Millie Bright, athletes Laura Muir, Eilish McColgan and Adam Gemili, Olympic sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and diver Tom Daley.The letter calls on Burnham to “level the playing field” for ME research funding compared with other illnesses and “give hope to the many affected that something is being done about this life-destroying, much-ignored illness and its spiralling impact”.It highlights the disparity in government research funding between ME and other conditions.“Between 2019 to 2024, UK government research funders committed just £6.6m in funding for research into ME, compared to £79.1m for Parkinson's and £496.4m for dementia,” the letter states.It adds that biomedical research funding for ME was “almost non-existent” before this period and that the lack of investment has contributed to the absence of approved treatments.How Did Beth Dobbin Develop ME?Dobbin's health began deteriorating after back-to-back COVID-19 and glandular fever infections during the winter of 2021-22, she told BBC Sport.She experienced worsening fatigue, slower running times and soreness in the glands in her neck and armpits. Initial tests by British Athletics doctors failed to identify the cause.Despite her symptoms, she continued training in 2022. At the European Championships, she false-started after losing all feeling in her legs while in the starting blocks.Her condition continued to worsen. She struggled to stand and spent most of her time in bed. After consulting four or five specialists, she was diagnosed with ME.Dobbin has since been largely confined to her home and bed. Even conversations, bright lights and loud sounds can trigger a “crash” lasting days or, in severe cases, months. According to BBC Sport, she has left her house just five times this year, mainly for medical appointments and blood tests.Read More: Spanish Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies After On-Field Collision: Can A Blow To The Chest Trigger Cardiac Arrest?What Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)?ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a complex, chronic illness that can cause severe fatigue, pain, sleep disturbances and problems with thinking and memory.Symptoms do not improve with rest and can fluctuate in severity. While some people can continue working or studying, others experience severe disability and may require round-the-clock care or tube feeding.There is no known cure or specific approved treatment for ME. More than 400,000 people in the UK are thought to have the condition, although the actual number could exceed one million.A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson previously told BBC Sport: “Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) can have a devastating impact on people's lives, and we are determined to accelerate progress in understanding and treating this debilitating condition.”

beth dobbin's myalgic encephalomyelitis campaign gains support from 360 sportspeople: why are they urging uk pm to act?

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