Two old school friends are on a mission to raise awareness and money for a “forgotten disease”.

Mair Squire and Melissa Davies met at school in Newcastle Emlyn at the age of 11.

Melissa now lives in Aberystwyth with her son Edwyn Bywood who, at the age of 15, began suffering with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome.

Edwyn started suffering in March 2019, and was diagnosed in October.

The main symptom of ME is feeling extremely tired and generally unwell. But other symptoms include sleep problems, muscle and joint pain, headaches, a sore throat, problems thinking, remember and concentrating, flu-like symptoms and heart palpitations.

Mair, who now lives in Gower, decided to fundraise for ME Research UK to help Edwyn, as well as others who suffer with the disease.

She will complete two duathlons within a week: the Wildflower Duathlon at the National Botanical Gardens on 15 March and the Mumbles Duathlon on 21 March. She will cover 62km on a bike and 20km running.

Melissa said: “Mair is an amazingly kind friend, she’s set herself a huge challenge that she will achieve. Mair is determined to raise as much money as possible for ME Research UK and also to raise awareness.”

To help Mair’s fundraising, go to www.­justgiving.com/fundraising/mair-squire

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