Chloe takes on half marathon challenge for CPFT’s charity
Chloe Bedford will be raising money for Head To Toe – the official charity of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust – when she takes part in the Cambridge Half Marathon.
When the 22-year-old was diagnosed with autism in December 2019, she found that running boosted her mental health, especially throughout the pandemic.
Chloe (pictured) said: “I’m supporting Head to Toe because over recent years I have accessed services and support from CPFT which has helped me a lot.
“I hope the money I raise will enable the Trust to continue helping people across the area because the staff are so caring and supportive.”
For Chloe, who lives near Peterborough, getting help with her mental health has been life-changing.
“After a wobbly start to adulthood I’m finally starting to see a bit of a future for myself, heavily focussed on helping other people,” she said.
“I’m usually a very smiley and energetic person, often compared to the Winnie the Pooh character, Tigger!”
Chloe admits she can find big events challenging because large crowds can make her feel anxious, but she hasn’t let that get in the way of her fundraising.
Chloe, who currently volunteers once a week at Ferry Meadows Country Park in the visitor centre in Peterborough, and also with St John Ambulance as a Trainee First Aider, said: “Since I’ve been running, I have done a charity challenge every year. In 2019 it was for the British Heart Foundation, in 2020 it was for MIND, and in 2021 it was for the National Autistic Society.
“So running the Cambridge Half Marathon for Head to Toe will be my charity challenge for 2022.”
She’s aiming to raise £300 when she takes on the 13.1-mile course on Sunday, 6 March. Her Just Giving page can be found here: http://www.justgiving.com/Chloe-Bedford2
Funds raised for Head to Toe are invested in projects to improve support and facilities for patients, service-users, carers, and staff at CPFT.
Alex Gordon, Interim Manager of Head to Toe, said: “We’re so grateful to Chloe – and to all the other runners from Team Head to Toe who will be taking part in the Cambridge Half Marathon.
“They’ll be out on the course in their bright orange t-shirts, so please give them a cheer when you see them. If you want to join Chloe we’ve got a few spaces left.”
CPFT employs more than 4,000 staff who provide community physical healthcare for older people and those with long-term conditions, mental healthcare for children and adults, children’s health services in Peterborough, learning disability support and social care support.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Ben Manton
Communications Officer
E ben.manton@cpft.nhs.uk
