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Zoe took on her very first half marathon at The Big Half 2025, running for CNWL NHS Health Charity. After years of battling severe mental illness, Zoe turned her recovery into motivation to give back to the NHS.
On 7 September 2025, we saw 12 fantastic runners take on The Big Half Marathon for CNWL NHS Health Charity. For Zoe, this challenge was deeply personal. After spending the last six years battling severe mental illness, she credits the NHS with saving her life. "They gave me the support I needed when I was at my lowest, and I wanted to give back by supporting the charity," she explains.
Taking on The Big Half was about more than just running. It marked a powerful step in her recovery journey. Training and fundraising in the lead-up to the event gave Zoe a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.
Reflecting on her experience, Zoe said:
"Although I am still recovering, I am finally in a place where I can run – something I love and it feels amazing to be able to use that to support a good cause."
"It’s been massively rewarding for me. Running and raising money for CNWL is both a personal milestone and a way of helping others who are going through their hardest times."
Crossing the finish line at such an iconic event was an incredible achievement and a celebration of how far she has come, both as a runner and in her journey of recovery.
We’re so proud of Zoe and grateful to her and all our runners for supporting our work.
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Have you been supported by CNWL NHS Foundation Trust, taken part in a fundraiser, or benefited from one of our charity-funded projects? If so, we’d love to hear your story! Whether you’re a patient, staff member, or supporter, your experience could inspire others and show the powerful impact of our work.
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