A Newcastle dental nurse has done the Great North Run to raise money for an NHS charity that cared for her friend.  

Moya Dillon, 21, took on the world’s biggest half marathon for SHINE.  

The SHINE Fund, part of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) charity, aims to improve experience and wellbeing for patients across the Trust’s mental health, learning disability and neurological care services.   

Money from the SHINE Fund is used to provide the extras that make a big difference to patient recovery. It has funded hundreds of projects, supporting patients with everything from exercise equipment and gardening tools to ward decorations and yoga classes.   

Moya chose to run for her friend Abby Padgett who was a patient in the Trust’s eating disorders services.  

Abby, 25, was a patient for nearly three years before being discharged just a week ago.  

She was treated for anorexia by the community treatment team and the Intensive Day Service (IDS), which provides additional support.  

Abby said: “The wonderful team helped me overcome some of the biggest challenges of my illness and helped me gain back my independence. Everyone was so kind and willing to support.  

“I’ve worked my way up to being discharged and feel ready to live my life with freedom and in control of my anorexia.” 

The pair met around four years ago working as dental nurses and have been close friends ever since.  

“Moya joined our team and we hit it off immediately,” Abby said.  

“She has been with me since the beginning of my treatment. When Moya offered to run for something so close to my heart, I was stunned and absolutely over the moon! She knows how much this means to me and my close family, so I was really touched.” 

This was Moya’s third Great North Run.  

She said: “I wanted to do the run for my own physical and mental health. I also love having something to look forward to. As challenging as it has been, I have come to really enjoy running.  

“The atmosphere really keeps you going on the day. 

“Being able to help raise money for such a fantastic charity was a no-brainer!”  

So far, the friends have raised £591.  

To donate, go to Moya's fundraising page. 

12 runners took on the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields for SHINE this year. Runners included former patients, patients’ loved ones and members of CNTW and NTW Solutions staff.  

If you’d like to run for SHINE in 2027, email the charity team to join the waiting list for a charity place: marketing@cntw.nhs.uk  

You can also join Team SHINE with your own place if you’re successful in the ballot.