Former British sprinter Beth Dobbin has reached out to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, advocating for increased funding into research for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a condition that has drastically impacted her life, leaving her bedridden for 22 hours a day. In an interview with BBC Sport, the 32-year-old athlete, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, shared her diagnosis and the debilitating nature of ME, which causes severe fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and pain without any known cure.

With over 400,000 people in the UK affected by ME, and estimates suggesting the true number could exceed one million, Dobbin emphasized the lack of government support for research compared to other illnesses. She highlighted the absence of approved treatments and the dire situation faced by severe ME patients, who often require extensive care.

In her letter to Burnham, Dobbin expressed frustration over the neglect of ME, stating:

ME has been neglected and psychologicalised for years. What other illness this prevalent would leave patients with nowhere to go within the NHS?

Despite her health challenges, Dobbin aims to raise awareness about ME, noting the severe impacts it has on daily life, including the risk of "crashes" from minimal stimuli. She argued that addressing ME could help reduce the welfare bill, which has been a priority for Burnham since taking office in July.

The UK government invested approximately £6.5 million in ME research between April 2019 and March 2024, with a recent announcement of £4.75 million for a genomics study into the condition. BBC Sport has reached out to Downing Street for further comments.