A dedicated Rowcroft Hospice healthcare assistant is taking “going the extra mile” to a whole new level this April – running an incredible 256 miles across Wales to support the patients and families at the heart of her work.
Heidi Treleaven, 51, who works in Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit, will begin her epic race on Tuesday 14 April, taking on six back-to-back ultramarathons over six consecutive days, covering a staggering distance from Holyhead to Barry Island.
For Heidi, this challenge is about far more than endurance. It’s a deeply personal mission inspired by the care her own family received from Rowcroft during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
“I feel very lucky that I’m able to run,” said Heidi. “So for me, it’s about using that ability to give something back.”
Heidi’s father, Mike Steer, and her brother-in-law, Timothy Chant, were both cared for by Rowcroft Hospice before they died just 16 days apart in 2023.
“It was a horrendous time,” Heidi said. “But knowing the hospice team was there for us made all the difference. They helped me and my mum to care for my dad at home in the way he wanted, and it meant everything to know they were there supporting us.”
More recently, Heidi’s father-in-law was also supported by Rowcroft’s Hospice at Home Team.
Working as a healthcare assistant at the hospice, Heidi sees every day the difference that compassionate, individualised care can make.
“At Rowcroft, we go above and beyond for every patient and family,” she said. “It’s the little things – the time we spend, the care we tailor to each individual – that really matter. We work so hard to make the difficult times the best they can possibly be.”
And while hospice staff are known for going the extra mile, Heidi is taking that quite literally.
Her six-day ultramarathon will include punishing distances of up to 50 miles a day, with mountainous terrain and self-navigation adding to the challenge.
Starting with a 37.5-mile run on day one, Heidi will then tackle distances of over 50 miles and back-to-back mountain stages before completing the final days on exhausted legs.
“If I’m going to do something, I want to make it count!” she said.
Despite balancing 12.5 hour shifts, night work and busy family life, Heidi has been training tirelessly – running solo along the South Devon coast or taking on long-distance routes from Exeter back home to Torquay.
“I’m not a super experienced runner,” she added. “I’ll just give it my best. That’s all I can do.”
Heidi admits her biggest fear is not finishing, having previously had to pull out of a long-distance challenge due to injury. But she’s determined to keep going, step by step.
“If you want to take on a challenge, I’d say ‘just go for it!’” she said. “And if you can raise money for a cause you’re passionate about, then so much the better!”
Heidi is aiming to raise £1,000 for Rowcroft Hospice, helping its teams continue to provide specialist end-of-life care and support to patients and families across South Devon.
“I am so proud to work alongside the hospice’s amazing team – such special, caring people who go that extra mile to ensure patients and families are well cared for and supported holistically,” said Heidi. “And I really want to raise some funds to help the team continue their crucial work.”
You can support Heidi’s ambitious challenge by making a donation via her JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/page/heidi-treleaven-3
Every pound raised helps Rowcroft be there for local people who need their expert care and support.
Or why not take on a challenge of your own? Visit Rowcroft Hospice’s website to find out more and get involved:rowcrofthospice.org.uk/challenges
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Lead image: Heidi Treleaven is a health care assistant at Rowcroft Hospice.
About Rowcroft Hospice
It takes time, compassion, medical expertise and money to help patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones to make the most of every day, but every year Rowcroft Hospice helps around 2,500 people in South Devon to do just that.
By providing comfort, support and specialist services, the hospice enables families to share precious moments when they are needed most – whether it’s a beautiful wedding, remarkable reunion or a simple thank you.
From Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor, Rowcroft cares for 80% of its patients in their own homes with a team of community nurse specialists, social workers, and bereavement volunteers. The team also provides occupational therapy, physiotherapy, complementary therapy, spiritual care and music therapy, delivering a holistic approach tailored to individual needs.
Day and night, Rowcroft’s award-winning Hospice at Home team provide free specialist support to patients at home in their last few of weeks of life. The team helps to monitor and manage symptoms to enable patients to be comfortable and also offers support for loved ones, enabling carers to take much needed breaks. The service includes a dedicated telephone support line 24 hrs a day.
In Rowcroft’s 12-bedded Inpatient Unit in Torquay, the hospice’s team provides specialist care for patients whose complex needs cannot be met at home. Along with high quality health and social care, we also offer delicious homecooked meals and access to our beautiful gardens. The welcoming and homely environment helps patients and families to make the most of precious time together.
Rowcroft is an independent charity with around 75% of its funding derived from the incredible generosity of local people. The hospice team fully acknowledges the current challenging economic climate and is grateful for the local community’s continued support through these tough times; every pound raised makes a real difference.
With an increasingly ageing local population, the demand for Rowcroft’s care has never been greater. The charity currently cares for around one in three people with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon and has ambitious plans to expand its care to reach more people.
For more information, please visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk or contact Shala Weeks, Marketing, Brand & Events Manager, on (01803) 210 846 or email weekss@rowcrofthospice.org.uk
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