With our campaigns, we aim to raise awareness for ME/CFS, promote research, and show solidarity with those affected. In our action toolkit, we present simple and effective suggestions for supporters and clubs on how initiatives can be carried out independently or in collaboration with us.
Content
Goals
- Raise awareness about the severe multisystem disease ME/CFS
- Highlight the impact of ME/CFS for football fans (affected fans can no longer attend matches, ME/CFS can potentially affect anyone after an infection)
- Fundraising for more ME/CFS research (via ME/CFS Research Foundation)
Campaign slogan: Missing from the Stands – Lost to ME/CFS!
- Give visibility to “lost” fans who can no longer attend in the stands – some can only follow matches via radio or live ticker
- Fans should be seen despite their “invisible” illness
Suggested Toolkit: Which awareness campaigns would we like to do with you?
Before the Matchday
Info package about the campaign
- To members (e.g., via membership magazine)
- To supporter clubs (possibly encourage banners/slogans)
- Exhibition for fans about Empty Stands and our illnesses
Press
- Joint press release announcing the campaign day
- Interviews in the club magazine or on the club website
- Guest post by a fan affected by ME/CFS on YouTube/social channels
Social media activities by the club
- Horizontal demonstration of the team (example)
- Sharing of the campaign announcement story by Empty Stands
- Visual materials for press releases and post-match coverage
- Connect the club foundation with the ME/CFS Research Foundation
- Share our campaign video
- Share regularly our donation league
On Matchday/In the Stadium
Posters in the stadium
- With QR codes for info and donations
Information booth outside the stadium
- Fans can learn about ME/CFS
- Raffle of tickets or other club “goodies”
- Distribute Empty Stands postcards, stickers, flyers
- Possible handgrip strength challenge for donations
- Sale of solidarity shirts
Campaign video in the stadium
- 60 seconds long, matchday-compatible (works without sound) with donation appeal (example)
- Played before the match and possibly during halftime
Play “You’ll never walk alone”
- Show names/faces of those severely affected or lost to ME/CFS on the stadium screen
Stadium announcer
- Live interview before the match or a dedicated speech
- e.g., 3 questions about the campaign
- Or ~3 minutes speaking time for representatives of Empty Stands or ME/CFS Research Foundation
- Recordings can be used for social media and website post-match
Player entrance/warm-up actions
- Players and entrance kids wear solidarity shirts
- Players wear solidarity shirts during warm-up
- Team photo for social media use
- Players hold an awareness banner
- Later auction of match-worn jerseys and shirts to support research
- Blue armbands
- Moment of silence before the match for those who died of ME/CFS
Advertising boards
- ME/CFS Research Foundation
- Empty Stands
Large pitch banner
- e.g., at the center circle before kickoff
Donation activities
- Cup deposit donation collection
- Sale of “solidarity drink” (e.g., lemonade, hot drinks) in support of the foundation
- Auction of (signed) match jerseys, announced by the stadium announcer
After the Match
- Announcement by the stadium announcer (thanks & reminder to fans for their support)
- Display of a performance stat graphic
- e.g. ball touches by players vs social contacts of ME/CFS patients, shown on the scoreboard
Follow-up
- Social media from club, ME/CFS Research Foundation, and Empty Stands
- Press release with campaign pictures, donation total, and summary
