Kayaking for ME/CFS Research…

You may remember in our Spring issue a story we published about an inspiring fundraising effort from a local father and his daughter. Since then, Terry and Poppy Smith have been on an epic journey, kayaking across the country, to continue to raise money for ME/CFS research. The fundraising was inspired by Terry’s wife, Aimee, who unfortunately suffers from ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome).

Aimee was initially diagnosed at the age of 12 and struggled for many years, requiring support workers and having to use a wheelchair.

She eventually became more stable and recovered by the time she was 28. Unfortunately, at age 35, she relapsed due to an ear infection.

Before the relapse, Aimee worked at West Lancashire College for ten years in several roles, her last being an Art & Design Technician Demonstrator, teaching Pottery and Kiln Glass classes. Despite efforts to reduce and alter her role, Aimee made the tough decision to leave as she was too ill to continue.

Terry and Poppy’s Kayaking journey, referred to as the Desmond Family Canoe Trail, spanned 162 miles, starting in Liverpool and ending in Goole on the East coast. They completed this challenge over several weekends throughout 2021 and into 2022.

Using an inflatable kayak, the Father and Daughter duo took in the length of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, the River Aire and Calder Navigation.

After navigating their way through rural and urban areas, under viaducts and tunnels and even the motorway, as well as dealing with multiple boat punctures, Terry and Poppy finally reached their destination on Saturday, the 8th of October! On their arrival at the finish line, Poppy’s classmates at St Thomas the Martyr in Upholland had made some amazing banners to greet her and her dad with! At the time of publishing this article, they had raised a fantastic £3000!

If you would like to donate to Terry and Poppy’s fundraiser, you can still do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/for-those-like-aimee.