Castleford poet's work will raise cash to support ME sufferers

The work of Castleford poet Trevor Wainwright will feature on a fundraising CD in support of a chronic fatigue condition.
Trevor WainwrightTrevor Wainwright
Trevor Wainwright

Mr Wainwright's poem 'Prisoner Cell Block ME' will be included on an album of original songs and poetry about living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

The CD, Music 4 ME, aims to raise funds for education and research into the illness, which can cause extreme tiredness, muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and problems thinking, remembering and concentrating.

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Mr Wainwright's daughter has lived with the condition for more than 24 years.

He said: "The inspiration came to me when reading a cartoon in which a sufferer was visualising himself looking through a cell window with the words 'Prisoner Cell Block ME'.

"After completion I recited it to an interested member of the public who suggested I get it out to a wider audience. I did, via the internet to international acclaim, many hailing it as the finest poem with an understanding of ME by a non sufferer."

The work included on the CD is composed and performed by people with ME or their carers of family members.

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Mr Wainwright said: "The ME illness seriously limits what sufferers can do but a group of talented artists with ME have come together to show the world that although they may be missing from their lives, they are not lost.

"The songs for this album have been recorded in their homes, in studios if they had enough energy, and even from their beds. Sadly for some featured on the album they have given songs they recorded in the earlier stages of M.E but now the illness has robbed them of the strength to play instruments or sing."

Mr Wainwright has written and recited poems for many causes including AIDS and MS. He publishes most of his work on the internet.

Music 4 ME will be released on May 12 and he will promote the CD on his Sunday show on 5 Towns Radio.