EPISODE 3

Zelda Wilson | Finding Gold in the Cumbrian Dark

In August 2026, a group of women took on the Cumbria Way, walking from Ulverston to Carlisle to raise awareness and funds for Always Another Way, supporting mental health and wellbeing across West Cumbria.

Five days of demanding terrain, torrential rain and extraordinary companionship brought challenges that were as much emotional as physical.

Along the way, the walkers met people whose lives had been profoundly affected by mental health challenges and suicide, bringing home the importance of the cause they were supporting.

For one of the women, however, the challenge carried an additional significance.

Zelda Wilson was undergoing aggressive chemotherapy while preparing for the walk, having reached a point where immunotherapy was no longer working.

At a time of enormous uncertainty, training for the Cumbria Way provided much-needed structure, purpose and something positive to focus on.

One of the questions explored in Assa Marra is about resilience and finding the gold in the dark.

And few people embody that sentiment quite like Zelda.

Her determination to prepare for and undertake the challenge, while navigating the realities of cancer treatment, brought an extraordinary perspective to the experience.

In this deeply personal conversation, Zelda joins Catherine Williamson to reflect on resilience, determination and finding meaning and purpose even in the most challenging circumstances.

A remarkable perspective from a remarkable woman, and a reminder that sometimes the brightest gold is found in the darkest places.

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Did you know that Assa Marra has become a community interest company?

We work specifically in West Cumbria to help young people develop confidence around communication.

To donate please click on the link.

https://www.givengain.com/project/Always-Another-Cumbria-Way-Team

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