YORK and North Yorkshire members of a national ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) charity have cancelled their subscriptions - as the cash-strapped organisation fights for its survival.

The ME Association (MEA) is battling to raise £150,000 by July 14 or face a real risk of closure.

The charity now has 7,000 members - less than a third of the number at its height - and is currently running a recruitment drive and also urging existing members to donate extra funds as an emergency measure.

But Lynn Hird, 52, of Heworth, who joined the association 12 years ago when she was diagnosed, said the charity was no longer listening to its members and she was unwilling to give any more than her £15 subscription.

She said the charity's request for extra payments showed that it was "completely out of touch, as many sufferers live on benefits".

Sheila Barrie, whose daughter, Carli, died after battling with ME for years, said she was cancelling her subscription.

Sheila, of Huby, said a major problem for members was the sacking of the charity's medical adviser, Dr Charles Shepherd, a fellow sufferer, who was extremely well-respected by the medical profession and members.

However, MEA spokesman Tony Britton said that far from no longer listening to members, the charity was taking forward a new vision of better research into the causes of ME and better support for those with the condition - if it could sort out its financial problems.

He said Dr Shepherd's departure was necessary, but did not detract from the charity's aims, and what it could offer to members.

Although a number of members had cancelled their subscriptions since Dr Shepherd was sacked, its recruitment drive had boosted the numbers of new members.

Tony said: "We have now got a powerful package for people, a research strategy which aims to put patients at its heart."

Lynn, who was running an MEA York support group, but has now passed the responsibility on to someone else, said: "I feel very angry about this. I feel that we (ME sufferers) have little enough support as it is."

Updated: 12:51 Saturday, June 21, 2003