Race director honours close friend by choosing Treetops Hospice as official charity partner

This year’s Wilne 10k and Derby 10 Mile have chosen Treetops Hospice as their official charity partner, inspired by the care the hospice provided to Connell McNelis, a close friend of Race Director, Richard Kay.

Richard said the decision was “natural” after witnessing the support Treetops provided Connell, his wife Nina and their daughter Carmella during Connell’s long illness and in the time following his death last year.

“Connell was a very close friend of mine and seeing the care Treetops gave him, and the support they continue to give Nina and Carmella, brought home just how vital their work is.”

“This partnership is our way of honouring Connell and helping other families in the community who may one day need the same support from Treetops.”

Connell was described by those who knew him as “inspirational, positive and full of life” and first became ill in 2013 when his daughter Carmella was just a baby.

For more than a decade, he defied expectations, staying active, embracing a healthy lifestyle and doing everything he could to make the most of the time he had. He wrote a book, Savour Life – The Will to Survive and Thrive, to help others facing cancer with tips for holistic and natural ways to benefit their health.

Throughout those years, Treetops Hospice played a quiet but important role in the family’s life. Nina explained that they were first introduced to Treetops over a decade ago, when both she and Connell received complementary therapies such as Reiki and reflexology.

“The complementary therapy from Treetops was lovely and gave us a chance to relax and reset after the stress of Connell’s diagnosis.”

As Connell’s health declined last year, the family were supported by Treetops once again, this time for counselling for their daughter Carmella, and later for specialist nursing support at home for Connell and counselling for Nina.

Nina said the care they received was “just amazing”.

“The Treetops nurses didn’t just look after Connell, they looked after us as a family. They explained what was happening and supported us so much by talking through things, every step of the way.”

When Connell died at home, the Treetops nurses who had cared for him returned in the early hours of the morning to be with the family and offer support.

Since then, both Nina and Carmella have continued to receive bereavement counselling and complementary therapies from Treetops.

Nina explained: “Our friends and family have been so amazing and supportive but also having a professional who understands what you’re going through makes such a difference.”

More than 50 of Connell’s friends and relatives, including many travelling from Scotland, where he grew up, will take part in the Wilne 10k this year in his memory.

Nina said: “It means so much to see how many people loved Connell and want to run for him. Supporting Treetops is our way of giving back for how they were there for us when we needed them most, and we want other families to have that same care.”

Last year, Treetops Hospice delivered more than 34,000 hours of care, supporting over 2,000 patients across central and southern Derbyshire.

Natalie Godrich, Relationships Manager at Treetops Hospice, said: “We are incredibly grateful to be chosen as the official charity partner for the wonderful Wilne 10k and Derby 10 Mile events.

“Everyone running in Connell’s memory and fundraising for Treetops is so inspiring, and their support will help us continue caring for families during the most difficult times of their lives.”

The Wilne 10k takes place in September, followed by the Derby 10 Mile in November. Runners can still sign up or donate via the event websites: https://www.wilne.co.uk/enter-2026/