A static bike ride at the NSC has raised awareness for ME sufferers.

Elizabeth Swan, from Onchan, cycled on a static bike from 11.30am to 2.30pm at the NSC on Saturday.

Next to her was an empty bike, which represented all of the sports equipment that ME sufferers can no longer use.

The event was also supported by James Harrison, one of the top under-16 cyclists in Britain, who wanted to help raise awareness of young people affected by ME.

ME, or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms, the most common of which is extreme tiredness.

Celia Marshall, chairman of ME Support, said: ’I think the event went very well.

’There were a lot of people coming through, and many of them stopped to ask about ME, which is great. People really don’t understand ME and sufferers aren’t well supported by the government.’

Celia and Elizabeth began volunteering with the charity when Celia heard it was in some difficulty and offered her help.

Elizabeth added: ’Celia asked me to help and gathered different people to help.’

Celia said a lack of expertise in the area means Manx people with the illness are made to suffer more as their condition isn’t well understood by doctors in the island.

She said there was ’no support structure for Manx sufferers’.

The charity’s figures show there are at least 350 people in the island suffering from ME, including at least one child in each of the island’s secondary schools they are aware of.

’The children prove the point, they’ve said they’re told to be more active. What they really need is rest and understanding.’