A billboard has been placed in Ardrossan to highlight some of the long-term impacts of the Covid-19 virus.

The board, which can be seen on Glasgow Street, was funded as part of a major UK-wide campaign launched by Not Recovered UK.

The group is made up of a number of people who either live with long Covid or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME, sometimes known as chronic fatigue syndrome, CFS) or are impacted by them.

Most people who contract Covid-19 feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks. For some people, symptoms can last longer.

This is what is considered to be long Covid, a new condition that is still being studied.

Though ME/CFS has been more common for a longer period of time, it can still only be treated rather than cured at this stage.

Not Recovered UK has launched the campaign in a bid to raise awareness for what are "disabling chronic illnesses."

A group spokesperson said: "The billboards are highlighting that for millions of people, there are currently no effective treatments for long Covid and ME.

"Overall, the billboards point to the fact there is still no cure for either of these conditions, too."

Group member Alex explained how much the disease has taken hold of his life.

He said: "Before contracting Covid-19 in March 2020, I was a fit and healthy 29-year-old. I went to the gym five days a week and competed in weight lifting competitions; rode my BMX for hours a day; had no health problems, and had a bright future as an engineer.

"I am now a shell of that person. Mostly I am confined to a wheelchair and have to spend my days housebound, as even short trips outside make me sick.

"This illness is very isolating, most of my time is spent alone and I barely see any of my friends. It has also cost me my relationship and all my hobbies. 

"There are no treatments and none of my doctors can help me. It feels as if I have been completely abandoned. My life is on hold and I don't know if I will ever get it back. Long Covid has stolen my identity."

Not Recovered UK are hoping their campaign - which has only been possible thanks to a crowdfunding initiative - can help highlight the need for increased funding for research into these conditions.

Aaron Campbell, who founded the campaign, has lived with long Covid since July 2022. He

He said he launched the billboards project out of "desperation."

Aaron added: "ME patients have been left to suffer for decades without any appropriate treatments and it is very likely that long Covid patients will have a similar fate unless there is an urgent and drastic change in the level of research and funding they are both currently receiving.

"Many of these patients are too sick to leave their beds and an online billboard campaign driven by donations ensures that everyone is given an opportunity to be involved.

"It finally means society can see the true extent of the suffering these people go through and just how desperate they are to get their lives back."