Posted 8 October 2026
We’re excited to support our fundraiser, Zoe, as she takes on the AJ Bell Great South Run in Portsmouth this October.
We’re incredibly proud to champion her as she laces up her running shoes to support single-parent families. Below, Zoe shares her powerful story of resilience, finding community, and why she is running to support Gingerbread.
“I became a single parent at the end of 2019 after my 27-year relationship very suddenly ended. I was 45 with a 14-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son. I didn’t even realise it was possible to feel that level of emotion, and something that really bothered me was the reality of being divorced and a single parent. I was just so, so uncomfortable with what my story had become.
Not long after that, the world went into lockdown. In a way, being able to hide away from the world was exactly what I needed to process everything. During that time, I stumbled across comedian and author Helen Thorn (Scummy Mummies), who was going through a remarkably similar public breakup. For the first time, I felt less alone. While I had the support of incredible friends and family, none of them had walked in my shoes.
That comfort led me to seek out more stories, which is how I discovered Gingerbread. I’ve followed them ever since. I consider myself a pretty strong woman, but I didn’t think I could do it on my own, mentally, physically, and certainly not financially.
But six years later, here I am, doing it every single day.
It has been incredibly tough, but the rewards heavily outweigh the hardships. I have raised my children with very little input from their father, and for that, I am immensely proud of myself.
Being a single parent is a challenging journey. That is why organisations like Gingerbread are so vital. They provide a safe space for advice, inspiring stories to keep you going, a sounding board, acknowledgement, and above all, the realisation that you are not alone.
I want to run this race with the Gingerbread logo proudly on my chest. If running past thousands of spectators helps even just one struggling single parent see the Gingerbread T-shirt and find the support and connection they need, every single mile will be worth it.”
Zoe is tackling 10 miles to ensure no single parent has to navigate the hardships of single parenting alone. If you would like to cheer her on and support her, please consider donating to her fundraising page below.
Support Zoe today