Sammie McFarland

Sammie is the Founder and Chief Executive of Long Covid Kids and Friends, the world’s first charity dedicated to supporting children and young people living with Long Covid.

Founded after Sammie and her daughter developed Long Covid, the charity grew from a grassroots community into an internationally recognised organisation supporting more than 11,000 members.

Sammie works alongside children, young people and families to ensure lived experience informs research, policy, healthcare and education. Her contributions extend nationally and internationally through organisations and expert groups including NIHR, NHS England, WHO and IPIC (International Post Covid & Post Infection Conditions) Society.

Long Covid remains the foundation of her advocacy and leadership, while providing a lens through which to understand wider challenges affecting children with prolonged, fluctuating and energy-limiting illness. Her approach brings together evidence, lived experience and professional expertise to help create systems in which children and young people can participate, belong and flourish.

Outside the charity, Sammie enjoys family life, creativity, nature and cold-water swimming.