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Zoe NorthBritish girl with cerebral palsy who successfully ran two marathons
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- A Cerebral Palsy Warrior's Triumph
- Overcoming Adversity
- Determination and Perseverance
- The New York City Challenge
- A Preterm Birth and a Defiant Spirit
- A Marathon of Support
- Training and Resilience
- A Race for a Cure
- A Legacy of Inspiration
A Cerebral Palsy Warrior's Triumph
A teenage girl with cerebral palsy has defied the odds by running two marathons in five days, raising over £140,000 for charity.
Overcoming Adversity
Zoe North, now 19, was told she would never walk due to her severe motor impairment. However, she refused to let her condition define her. In 2016, she completed the New York City Marathon, raising a staggering £120,000 for charity.
Determination and Perseverance
North's condition affects her coordination, muscle weakness, and balance. She couldn't stand steadily until she was five years old. But within 18 months of running the London Marathon for the first time, she scaled new heights.
The New York City Challenge
"The New York Marathon was the hardest thing I have ever done," North admitted. "But every step, with the support and motivation of my team, was worth it, knowing that it would support the fantastic research funded by Sparks," her chosen charity.
A Preterm Birth and a Defiant Spirit
Born three months premature and weighing just 964 grams, North was not expected to walk, talk, or live a full life. Her cerebral palsy was diagnosed when she was two years old. She learned to pull herself up at four but only gained confidence in her walking after surgery to lengthen her tendons five years later.
A Marathon of Support
North teamed up with family, friends from New York, and a running group from Deutsche Bank, which covered her entry fee for the New York City Marathon. The funds she raised will support a project aimed at finding a cure for fetal membrane disorders, which can lead to premature birth.
Training and Resilience
Prior to her successful London Marathon run in 2016, North struggled to walk for 15 minutes without rest. An intense training regime, including running 5 miles daily, proved pivotal. She continued this routine upon arriving in the United States.
A Race for a Cure
"For many seriously ill children, research offers their only hope. But funding for pediatric research is severely underfunded," said Elvira Morrison, CEO of Sparks. "Zoe and her team are simply extraordinary in what they have achieved."
A Legacy of Inspiration
Morrison added, "The money raised will play a vital role in our search for new treatments for children with complex and rare diseases across the UK."
