More than 350 sportspeople, including Olympians Dina Asher-Smith and Tom Daley, have united to urge the Prime Minister to meet with former sprinter Beth Dobbin and commit to enhancing funding for ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) research.

Dobbin, 32, recently disclosed her devastating diagnosis in an interview with BBC Sport, revealing she spends over 22 hours a day in bed due to the debilitating condition. ME is a chronic illness characterized by severe fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and pain, affecting an estimated 400,000 people in the UK, with the actual number potentially exceeding one million.

On October 21, Dobbin reached out to the Prime Minister but did not receive a reply. Now, with the backing of numerous athletes, she expresses her gratitude and hopes for a response. "For many of my team-mates, I dropped off the face of the earth four years ago when I developed severe ME," she stated. "It means so much to me to have their support."

Among the 360 who signed the letter are David Moyes, manager of Everton, and Emma Hayes, coach of the US women's team. Prominent athletes like Laura Muir, Eilish McColgan, and Adam Gemili also joined the cause, emphasizing the need for equitable funding for ME research compared to other illnesses.

The letter highlights a stark funding disparity: from 2019 to 2024, UK government research allocated only £6.6 million for ME, compared to £79.1 million for Parkinson's and £496.4 million for dementia. The athletes are calling for action to address this neglected illness and improve the lives of those affected.