Anna Redshaw’s ‘Blue Sunday’ Tea Party For M.E. in aid of various ME charities (including ME Research UK) will be held this year on Sunday 18th May 2025. Since its launch in 2013, the initiative has raised over £140,000 for charities.
As Anna explains
On Sunday 18th May, people from all over the world will meet up online to chat and leave comments on each other’s posts. While doing so they’ll be enjoying tea and cake (or whatever their delicate digestive systems can manage) and donating what they can to M.E. charities and causes.
We are so often excluded from events because our symptoms can make it so difficult for us to leave the house, let alone spend an hour or two at an event. That’s why the Tea Party For M.E. has always had an online/virtual element running alongside any in-person tea parties.
The premise is simple –
Ways people with ME have joined in in previous years:
- Ensuring they had their favourite packet of biscuits in their bedside snack drawer
- Hosted a video call with their family, friends, or members of the M.E. community
- Invited friends over for an in-person, Tea Party For M.E. often celebrated in their bedroom
- Liking and engaging with other people’s posts on social media to feel part of their Blue Sunday celebrations
- Hung blue decorations in their bedroom
- Held bake sales at work
You can donate to ME Research UK directly via justgiving.com
As the perfect accompliment a virtual concert is available to grace the tea party. Isaac is holding an online concert for Blue Sunday in aid of ME Research UK and Smile for ME. Isaac, who has a sister with severe ME, mentions that the concert will “feature a wide range of performances from amazing musicians and performers” and there will be “closed captions throughout and no flashing lights to make this event as inclusive as possible.”
To watch please register through Eventbrite by clicking on ‘Reserve a spot’ and making your donation. “Once registered, you will be sent a link and the concert will be available from the 11 May 2025.”
