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Meet our Challenge Champions

Meet our Treetops Hospice Challenge Champions – a wonderful team of people who are completing challenges, or have fundraised for us. Read about their chosen challenge and their personal stories for taking part.

Find your next Treetops event

Peter Woods – Skydive

“I turned 80 a few months ago and I knew I wanted to do a skydive so when I saw I could jump for Treetops, that was it.

“It’s a really important charity and I know it makes a big difference raising all this money.”

Skydive for Treetops
Older man in Treetops t-shirt and cap beaming after a skydive

HW Martin Waste Ltd – Peak District Trek

“As a large employer in the area, we are keen to have a meaningful impact across our communities. This challenge really demonstrated the willingness of our staff to support local causes.

“Everyone literally put their best foot forward and it was a good day all round. It was a good exercise in bringing people together; a real team effort.”  ~ Adam Smith, Director

Trek for Treetops
Large group of people in Treetops t-shirts and walking gear at the top of a hill holding a Treetops banner

Lisa Skermer – London Marathon

“Treetops supported my dad when he became ill and supported us to look after him initially.

“I wanted to raise money for Treetops in memory of my dad and help someone else get support when it is needed the most.”

Run for Treetops
Woman with dark hair and sunglasses in Treetops running top holding London Marathon medal

Sophie Gilbert – London Marathon

“My mother in law passed away from cancer in 2023. Treetops were amazingly supportive in coming to help look after her at home to fulfil her wishes of dying at home and not having to go into hospital.

“The Hospice at Home nurses came and stayed over at night and were so helpful. I really felt like I wanted to do something to support them.”

Run for Treetops
Woman with blonde hair, face paint and red running top holding marathon medal

Darran and Kerys-Mae – Manchester Marathon

We wanted to raise money for Treetops, as the Hospice at Home nurses looked after my father-in-law with care and compassion. Since he passed away Treetops have been very supportive to the family.” ~ Darran

“The nurses were amazing in my grandad’s last days and were a continual support since he has passed.” ~ Kerys-Mae

Run for Treetops
Selfie style photo of young couple wearing Treetops t-shirts before doing a training run for the Manchester Marathon

Megan Radford – Derby 10k 

“I wanted to give back to the charity that helped me and my family so much.

“When my dad died, I knew that I would need help to get over the overwhelming shock. It was incredibly useful to have a counsellor at Treetops to talk to in-depth, as it is difficult to do so with grieving family or friends that you don’t want to burden.”

Run for Treetops
Derby 10k runner wearing Treetops t-shirt and medal at the end of the race

Kate Kells – Parachute Jump

“I’ve always fancied doing a tandem parachute jump. It’s the next perfect adventure!

“Treetops is a charity and I want to help ensure that we are able to continue offering our services for people in the future.”

Take on your own skydive for Treetops
Two skydivers, one wearing a Treetops Hospice tshirt, in tandem jump against a clear blue sky.

Craig Stopper – Derby 10k

“Doing the run with my work colleagues adds camaraderie and also helps us raise more money as a team. There’s a bit of competitiveness there and running for a charity helps with our work ethics.

“This is also a way of gaining some fitness. I completed a Couch to 5k a couple of years ago but I’ve done nothing since. This gives me something to really aim for.”

Run for Treetops
Three men wearing race bibs and matching charity T-shirts stand in front of a tent promoting end-of-life care services in Derbyshire.

Mark Richardson – Derby 10k

“As a family, we took turns to help care for mum at home during the day, but nights were a problem. It was really reassuring for us to have a Hospice at Home nurse looking after her during her last days.

“It’s nice to give something back to the charity for the care that they provided when we needed it.”

Run for Treetops
Two runners in bright Treetops Hospice shirts prepare for a race amid a crowd of participants under a cloudy sky.

Mark Holden & Family – Robin Hood Half-Marathon

“We wouldn’t have had the same amount of quality time with dad without the Treetops nurses. Dad and mum wanted him to be at home and Treetops were able to make that happen.”

Run for Treetops
Two people stand close together on a grassy field, both wearing matching finisher medals and colorful team shirts.

Adela Appleby – Wing Walk

“I’m doing a Wing Walk to celebrate my belated 50th birthday and show I am as fun loving now, as I was in my 20s.

“On 23rd September I’ll be strapped to a plane flying 700ft high, at speeds of up to 130mph. Am I scared – yes, but I am blooming excited too!”

Take on a Wing Walk for Treetops
Person in Treetops Hospice t-shirt standing in a green park.

Simon Machin – London Landmarks Half Marathon

“When I first signed up to a 10K with Treetops, I was looking for a challenge to help me lose some weight and do something positive for an amazing charity that supports so many local people.

Being a part of the #TeamTreetops community, along with the personal encouragement and support from the team, gave me the confidence to keep pushing myself. In 2024, I ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon, something I never thought I’d be able to do 2 years ago!”

Run for Treetops
Runners participating in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, with the London Eye in the background, on a cloudy day.

Heather and Dan Gould – Derby 10k

“It’s been an amazing comfort and positive force to fundraise in mum’s memory. It’s been an excellent way to deal with our anger and frustration and all the emotions that come with the loss of such a dear family member.”

Run for Treetops

Andy Lucas – London Marathon

“I ran the London Marathon in memory of my dad, Ray. who was an amazing runner himself.

“When he got Motor Neurone Disease, we had some amazing help from Treetops. It gave my mum a lot of time back because she was his main carer.”

Run for Treetops
A black and white photo of a man in striped athletic wear standing outdoors.
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Treetops Hospice Trust, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS

T: 0115 949 1264
E: info@treetopshospice.org.uk

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Treetops Hospice Trust
CQC overall rating: Good
9 June 2016

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