Hello again! It's lovely to have you with me to mark 10 years of 'Blue Sunday' - the Tea Party For M.E.

This year's tea party is on Sunday 14th May 2023.

To date, 'Blue Sunday' and the Tea Party For M.E has raised £70,000 for M.E charities. Last year's event raised over £30,000. If we can match that total this year, we'll have raised £100,000 together since I started 'Blue Sunday' in 2013.

To allow as many people living with ME/CFS to join in, the premise remains as simple as possible:

* Wear something blue (pyjamas count!)
* Dig out your best cups and saucers
* Bake or buy your favourite cake
* Post a photo of you little tea party set-up to social media
* Invite your family and friends to enjoy tea and cake with you, in-person or via video call
* Donate the price you'd pay in a café (I'm told this is about £3-£5)
* Connect with others online who are doing the same, by commenting on their photos and posts
* Feel a part of my In-Person tea party as I upload photos and videos from the event I host every 'Blue Sunday'.

Coming together and breaking the isolation so many of us experience because of ME/CFS was one of the very reasons why the online tea party was started in 2013. So I hope you'll join me online in the afternoon of 14th May for a chat online over tea and cake.

You can follow along and post photos of your own tiny tea party via my blog www.the-slow-lane.com/blue-sunday-2023 for more information.

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For those of you who don't know me, my name is Anna and I was diagnosed with M.E/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2010. It affects every minute of every day.

'Blue Sunday' - the Tea Party For M.E came about when I didn't want to donate to other people's fundraising efforts; I wanted to be a part of something myself.
My ill health restricts me in a way that means I am unable to raise money by running a marathon or doing a sponsored swim, etc.

Alas, I am still able to eat cake and drink coffee! Please join me in doing so for the 11th year in a row.

In previous years I've asked that everyone donate the price they'd expect to pay for a cup of tea and a slice of cake in a cafe. Since 2013, 'Blue Sunday' has raised over £70,000.

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Anna Redshaw