Jamel’s journey to the Paris Marathon

Taking on a meaningful challenge 

For Jamel, taking on the Paris Marathon was about pushing beyond his comfort zone and testing himself both mentally and physically. 

“I wanted to test myself properly, mentally and physically,” he explains. “Marathon training mirrors nursing in a lot of ways: discipline, resilience, and showing up even when you’re tired. Paris just made it feel like a moment worth committing to. 

This will be my first marathon,” he adds. “That’s part of the challenge and the appeal.” 

Choosing Paris for his first marathon felt especially significant. 

“Paris felt symbolic. It’s iconic, demanding, and unforgettable much like the journey I’m on with nursing. If I was going to run my first marathon, I wanted it to mean something.” 

Running for CNWL NHS Health Charity  

Alongside the physical challenge, Jamel chose to fundraise for CNWL NHS Health Charity because he sees the charity’s impact first-hand. 

“I see the difference the charity makes every day,” he says. “CNWL NHS Health Charity supports patients and staff in ways that go beyond core funding, and those extras genuinely change outcomes and experiences.” 

Jamel is currently a PGDip Student Mental Health Nurse at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, completing clinical placements across CNWL services. He works alongside multidisciplinary teams in both inpatient and community mental health settings. Through his fundraising, he hopes to make a real difference for both patients and staff. 

Preparing for the challenge ahead 

Training for a marathon while studying and completing nursing placements has required careful planning, but Jamel has embraced the challenge. 

He’s most excited about the final miles knowing that he’s pushed through everything to get there, but admits he’s nervous about the middle stretch, where fatigue sets in and it becomes more of a mental battle than a physical one. 

Alongside his studies and placements, he’s also been proudly representing us at events, wearing his running vest at competitions like this recent gym race and HYROX event. 

Race day 

After months of training, early mornings and long runs, Jamel completed the Paris Marathon and raised over £1,000 for CNWL NHS Health Charity. 

Holding his medal at the finish line marked the end of an incredible journey and the impact of the support he received along the way.

Reflecting on the day, he said: "Running this marathon wasn't just a personal challenge. It was a reminder of what resilience actually looks like."