March 28th 2025
Dear Supporter,
On behalf of the many thousands of individuals who are disabled and hidden from view, we thank you for your help with our Long Covid and M.E. campaign to date.
If you haven't signed the petition yet, there's still time. Click to Support The Petition Today.
Over 14k people have signed so far, so please share it far and wide to help us get it to 15k. One young person living with Long Covid who emailed the campaign team said:
“Thanks for making us kids seen.”
Each signature on this petition means another person now appreciates Long Covid's impact on children and young people.
We have ONE final timely request to help us turn these calls for action into direct requests to those who have the power to enact the urgent changes.
PLEASE WRITE TO YOUR MP.
It is surprisingly easy. This website does half of it for you. Just pop your postcode in and then write a brief personalised message (plus add your contact details for replies).
Standard template emails have limited impact. However, if you need any inspiration, here are some ideas you could pick and choose from (but, as much as possible, try to use your own words and keep it brief):
Personal experience: Does someone you know have Long Covid or M.E.? Describe the impact on their finances, quality of life and any carers. Symptoms, work, education, any care/treatment available?
The Petition: 5 years after the first Covid lockdown, over 14,000 people have, so far, come together to call for urgent investment in Long Covid and M.E. services and treatment research. The petition was delivered to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP and Ashley Dalton MP on the 26th March. Details are in the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/LCME
The Three Core Asks:
Fund biomedical research and treatment for Long Covid in adults and children.
Stop clinic closures—commit to long-term, effective care for Long Covid, M.E., and overlapping conditions. Including funding the proposed M.E. Delivery plan.
Train doctors and healthcare professionals.
Here are some links to supporting information that you may want to include to help your MP understand why their support is crucial!
The Open Letter: Alongside the petition, there is an open letter signed by organisations, charities, and clinicians, urging the government to take immediate action, including halting further clinic closures. The letter takes a deeper dive into the issues, you may wish to add this link to your letter! Copy and paste this link into your letter make sure your MP sees this!
The Children’s Video: To support the campaign, children and young people affected by Long Covid have bravely released a powerful video titled “Don’t Shut the Door on Us”. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6JRF4CVEVsI
Children Call For Action On Long Covid and M.E. Say "Don't Shut The Door On Us'
Recent Study on Prevalence: University of Southampton used NHS England survey data to find that almost 1 in 10 people in England report symptoms consistent with Long Covid, but many remain undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and diagnostic tools. https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2025-03-18/almost-one-in-10-believe-they-may-have-long-covid-research-finds
Recent Study on Services: This recent report found that vital Long Covid services are closing across the UK despite ongoing. There are lots of easy-to-find stats that could be quoted from this report, or just share the link. https://www.longcovidkids.org/post/disabled-discharged-and-disappearing-from-view
Impact on the Economy: According to The Economist’s Long Covid Impact report, the condition cost the UK economy an estimated £12.2 billion in lost GDP in 2024 alone. Money talks!
https://impact.economist.com/perspectives/health/incomplete-picture-understanding-burden-long-covid
Finally, if you feel comfortable, ask to meet with your MP to discuss your concerns in more detail. Or ask them to join the APPG Group for Long Covid and M.E., led by MP Jo Platt
to represent the thousands of children disabled by these conditions.
Together, with collective action, we can make all children with Long Covid feel seen and heard.
