THE mother of a York woman who died after battling with ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) for ten years is conducting research into the suicide rate among sufferers.

Sheila Barry, of Huby, said her daughter Carli's death in February 2001 could have been prevented if better understanding of the disease and better support from the medical profession had been available.

Carli's body was found nine days after she went missing, only 250 yards from her home off Holgate Road, in York. She was 27.

An inquest into her death is due to take place in the next few months.

Mrs Barry, who has been campaigning to raise awareness of the condition since her daughter's death, said she wanted to paint a clear picture of the devastating effect of ME to prevent other sufferers taking their own lives - and she has already had a good response to her request.

She said: "The number of sufferers who have contacted me and said how desperate they are feeling or have felt in the past has been difficult to cope with.

"They feel that they have lost everything. They are so ill and have no future that they just want to die. I hope to get some publicity on this matter and make so many more people aware of just how devastating this illness is."

Mrs Barry has urged people to contact her if they are suffering and have felt suicidal or if they know someone who has committed suicide, so she can compile a full register.

She said: "If Carli's death can in some way help to make aware to the general public, who have little knowledge of the subject, just what it is like to suffer this illness, I will not feel that she has died in vain and that her death has in some small way 'made a difference'.

"So far there have been no figures compiled to indicate how many sufferers have died by their own choice. I am hoping to raise awareness of the devastating effects of this cruel illness."

Contact Mrs Barry by emailing her at s.d.barry@btinternet.com.

Updated: 09:51 Thursday, April 03, 2003