Wirral girl defies ME illness to set sponsored walk challenge

Mar 22 2011 By Jane Clare

Charly Poole with boyfriend Matty Warrington and grandma Joan Poole

Charly said: "I’ve got Matty there who will wash my hair for me. He’s even had to learn how to straighten and blow dry!

"He can get me changed and everything, but there are people who are a lot worse off than me who haven’t got someone there."

It is for those people that Charly is determined to do her sponsored walk.

She said: "For me, talking helped a lot. People have got to have someone there to help them. I want to raise money to help others who need help. I’m lucky with Matty. Some people don’t have anyone.

"I know I’ve been ill, but I’m doing it. I have determination!

"I don’t sit there and dwell. Matty is there and helps me and we try and laugh through it."

Charly’s grandma Joan Poole, 71, said: "It’s horrible to see her when she has to force herself to walk. And I’ve seen Matty have to carry her.

"I don’t know where we’d be without Matty."

Despite Charly’s ongoing symptoms, she is determined to have a future.

She said: "I have high ambitions. I’m not just a little dreamer, I’m a big dreamer.

"Of course I want to see an end to it and to get where I want to go. I will always be positive, no matter what."

To sponsor Charly go to www.justgiving.com/Charly- poole

For information about ME log on to www.meassociation.org.uk