Three members of Treetops Hospice’s nursing team pounded the pavements for the Derbyshire charity when the Derby 10k returned to the city.
Rachel Kirkpatrick and Teresa Smith, of Ilkeston, and Alison Cantwell, of Melbourne, are part of the Hospice at Home co-ordination team at Treetops. They joined thousands of runners for the Derby 10k, which was held ‘in person’ after last year’s event was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Hospice at Home service takes referrals from health care professionals such as district and hospital nurses to provide overnight care for people in their final six months of life. Regardless of their diagnosis, the service provides an experienced health care assistant or registered nurse to sit with patients from 10pm to 7am to give symptom relief and allow their family to rest.
The co-ordination team ensures the service runs smoothly by reviewing patients, triaging their needs, booking overnight shifts and ensuring nurses have all they need to provide excellent care.
The team also advises families about Treetops’ Roaming Service, which offers help with matters such as personal care, moving patients, administering medication and providing reassurance.
The three ladies are all in their 50s and said while they had done some running before, they were by no means athletes!
Rachel said: “As we spend most of our time in the office on computers and the telephone, getting out in the fresh air is our way of relaxing.
“It was a great day, we all really enjoyed it despite the rain.”
To take part in the Derby 10k for Treetops this year, runners were asked to raise a minimum of £108, which is how much it costs the end-of-life charity to provide one night of Hospice at Home care to a patient.
Adela Appleby, Head of Community Relationships at Risley-based Treetops’ said: “The Derby 10k is an event which we look forward to every year at Treetops Hospice. We’re always grateful for the support.
“As they say, every penny counts and all money raised from the event will help us to continue our vital work for patients and their families.”
The first Derby 10k was held in 2000 and, since then, it has raised thousands of pounds for various charities, including Treetops Hospice and Derby County Community Trust, who organise the event at the home of football team, Derby County.
