The sponsored event, taking place on Sunday 1 September at Markeaton Park, involves participants tackling ten giant inflatables along a 5km course – all to raise money for local charity, Treetops Hospice Care. Fancy dress optional!
Treetops provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life limiting conditions, and bereaved, living in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. All Treetops services are available from diagnosis onwards and provided for free.
Dad was very fit and healthy
Amongst those who’ve signed up is Tom Hulley, 30, from Ilkeston. Tom wanted to say thank you to Treetops who provided care for his late father, Phillip, as he explained:
“My dad was born in Nottingham but we lived in Ilkeston. He was in the army for many years until he left and joined the Royal Mail, where he met my mum and continued to work up until he was no longer able to.
“Dad was very fit and healthy. He used to regularly run half marathons and also referee Sunday football matches, as well as cycling from Ilkeston to Nottingham every day to work and back.
He started going to Treetops and found a love of glass painting
Phillip was diagnosed with a brain tumour after having several fits at work:
“I remember him having an operation and even though he was told to rest, he would still come and watch me play football and watch me rollerblade around the street.
“After another scan, more tumours were found and he began a course of radiotherapy. It was during this time he started going to Treetops. He would go for the day and it’s where he found a love of glass painting. He’d often come home with photo frames or vases that he had painted for my mum.
“After the radiotherapy had finished and he went for a check-up, we got the distressing news that it hadn’t worked and unfortunately there was nothing else they could do.
“As time passed, he just grew weaker and eventually went into Ilkeston Hospital where he passed away a few weeks after his 40th birthday.”
I decided to give it a go
Tom was 13yrs old when his dad died.
“I saw KAPOW! advertised on Facebook and I’ve always wanted to do something like that and with it being for Treetops, I decided to give it a go. I’m doing it on my own and have a lovely Deadpool costume to run it in!”
The Stairs of Doom, the Mangle, a 12m long Holy Cow Maze, the Transformer and a foam station are amongst the KAPOW! challenges that adults and children can run, jog or walk around.
The fun-filled, sponsored event – the only event of its kind taking place in the East Midlands this summer – will raise vital funds for Treetops.
KAPOW! registration is now open with tickets for adults £30, children £25 and groups of four £95. KAPOW! is being sponsored by Western Power Distribution and Ward Recycling.
Treetops services include Support and Information, Wellbeing Space, Hospice at Home nurses and Therapeutic Services including counselling, art therapy and complementary therapy.