Rantzen backs ME charity challenge

9:07am Monday 12th May 2008

TV presenter Esther Rantzen has backed a former ME sufferer in his bid to cycle the Tour de France for charity.

The former That's Life! presenter is supporting Martyn Jones as he prepares to take on the 2,300 mile course from July 5.

Mr Jones, 33, who suffered with ME for six years from the age of 17, hopes to raise £30,000 for The Association of Young People with ME and the British Heart Foundation.

Rantzen, whose daughter Emily Wilcox suffered with the debilitating illness for 14 years, said: "The impact of ME on young people is especially damaging because it hits them at a crucial stage of their lives.

"Martyn's challenging adventure will prove that you can recover excellent health and I am sure it will be an inspiration to the thousands of young people affected by the illness today."

Mr Jones said: "Cycling helped me to regain my health after ME and taking on the ultimate challenge is something I could only dream of lying flat on my back for weeks on end when I was younger."

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