Travis pushes his limits in marathon challenge for hospice care

A remarkable fundraising challenge took on an even deeper personal meaning for Travis Taylor when his grandad began receiving hospice care as he was running seven marathons in seven days for Willow Wood.

The 21-year-old, who has just graduated from the University of Leeds, completed an incredible 295 kilometres over seven days, raising more than £2,100 to support patients with any life-limiting illness that we care for.

The total raised could pay for five full days of care for a patient on our Inpatient Unit.

Travis – whose girlfriend Hannah has volunteered at Willow Wood and whose mum, Caroline, and auntie, Pauline, are both part of our Retail team – had chosen to support the Hospice because of his family's connection. However, during the challenge, the cause became even more personal.

His grandad was diagnosed with a brain tumour and began receiving hospice care during the very week Travis was completing his marathons.

"Thankfully he was able to hear about my challenge and I visited him the day after I finished but it brought home the cause I was fundraising for and motivated me even more. Unfortunately he died two weeks later.

"I am glad I've been able to raise money for the same cause that helped my grandad and my family through that time. The support we received, which we didn't have to pay for, was second to none. I never knew how special an environment hospices can be."

Travis, who was a keen swimmer growing up before taking up running in 2020, fittingly called his challenge 'Week at the Knees'.

Over the course of seven consecutive days, he tackled a variety of routes and terrain, covering roads around Lancaster, cycle tracks and even an 800-metre climb up Ingleborough. The challenge tested him physically and mentally, but with encouragement from family and friends, he crossed the finish line on the seventh day.

"I think having some of my mates to run with along the way made a big difference for my morale. It was nice having my family there on the last day and we set up a finish line."

Although Travis completed the challenge injury-free, there were moments when he questioned whether he could continue.

"It was really difficult but as I got towards the end, I kept thinking about the reasons why I decided to do it in the first place,” he said.

"I'm most proud of the fact I carried on when days four and five were very gruelling. I didn't get the weather on day five and had to do it on the treadmill in the gym.

"It gets past the point where your body is tired anyway, but I don't think anyone can prepare you for the mental energy side of it.

"I think traffic was the biggest problem I faced as running on roads can be difficult,  but planning the routes was the most important thing.”

Now recovering with more runs and gym sessions, Travis says he isn't finished with fundraising. He already has his sights set on an even bigger challenge – a 180-kilometre ultra-marathon in Chamonix, France, within the next couple of years.

Travis thanked everyone who supported and donated to his challenge, helping him raise more than he had hoped to.

Donations can still be made via his JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/week-at-the-knees