Zoe Watson

I'm running and fundraising for…

My Mum

Every five minutes, someone in the UK has a stroke. In the blink of an eye, a life is changed forever. It can affect speech, mobility, memory and independence. A stroke can happen to anyone, at any time. It doesn’t discriminate by age, background, or lifestyle.

Unfortunately this became a reality for me at the age of 8 when my Pop took a stroke on Christmas Day. Since then stroke has affected other members of my family, and most recently my Mum in January 2025. 

The 27th January was the scariest day for my whole family. In the days and weeks that followed, our family was thrown into a world we never expected.

My Mum is strong, resilient, and has fought every step of the way. She has always been my biggest supporter. During all of my long Saturday morning training runs, my Mum has been there very step of the way (quite literally), providing the much needed motivation (and Percy Pigs) when I ran past her on my laps. 

I’ve seen firsthand how much support stroke survivors need — not just in the early days, but also longer term. Recovery is possible, but it requires specialist rehabilitation, emotional support, and community services. That’s why I’m running and raising money for the Stroke Association — a charity that provides vital services for people like my Mum: from rehab and emotional support, to information, advocacy, and life-saving research.

On Sunday 21st September 2025 I take on Belfast Half Marathon to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association. I am very lucky that my Mum will be waiting for me behind the finish line on that day. 

Any donations, big or small, can help others who have been affected by a stroke and will be very much appreciated.