Scores of abandoned shoes have been left on College Green today, each pair represents a person missing from Bristol because they are too ill to leave their homes.
Poked inside most of the footwear are moving messages by residents living with M.E.
One read: "Ill 14 years. Missing: studying, social events, work, travel, independence, freedom of good health, teen years, swimming, being spontaneous, family time and understanding."
Another poignant message, tied to a glittery pair of silver stilettos said: "I miss not being in pain and being tired constantly and living a normal life."
The demonstration is part of global action to remember the millions of people who are suffering from chronic fatigue.
Around 90 sites are hosting #MillionsMissing protest today, organised to raise awareness of the plight of M.E. sufferers.
From sport shoes to high-heels, the varied pairs represent the eclectic mix of personalities struck down by the illness.
Helen Wood, from Thornbury, was diagnosed with M.E when she was aged 14.
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She said: "Not every M.E. sufferer has the same symptoms and to look at me most people would think there is nothing wrong with me.
"M.E. is in fact an invisible illness and so how I look and how I feel are two different things.
"I spend most of my time on the couch. I barely leave home apart from having appointments. It's depressing. I want to get better and lead a normal life.
"I didn't choose to be ill like this.
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"We do get lots of weird looks from people when we are either parked on double yellow lines or in disabled spaces."
Follow updates on Twitter about the protest with #MillionsMissing
