AN ME sufferer completed her first Great Manchester Run at the weekend with the help of a new treatment called Reverse Therapy.

Debbie Rich, 41, of Sale, has suffered from ME for more than 10 years.

When she moved to Manchester three years ago, she could barely walk up the stairs in her house, let alone run anywhere.

Debbie has so far raised £1,500 for the Alzheimer’s Society, smashing her target of £1,000. Donations can be made until August, and now she is hoping to raise £2,000.

Debbie ran in memory of Eric Fletcher, a friend and teacher who was a member of the Halle Orchestra for more than 20 years. Fletcher died from Young-Onset Alzheimer’s disease, which was diagnosed when he was 50.

Debbie admitted the run was a ‘tough challenge’, but managed to finish the 10k in one hour and 21 minutes.

She said: “I am by no means a ‘natural runner’, but I managed to keep running the whole way round. The atmosphere is amazing and I would urge anyone who fancies a challenge to go for it next year.”

Debbie offered her thanks to Lindsay Jones, her Reverse Therapist, Michael Madden, her trainer, and Julie Elder, of Totally Holistic Health.