The surgery to correct a large plantar neuroma (a swelling of the nerve between two toes) was generously performed pro bono by a team led by Dr Clayton Clews of ACT Podiatry. 

Nat Heath, now in his early 30s, was one of 11 runners in the IMF program at the time who trained to enter the New York Marathon of 2012.

“He came to New York but the event was cancelled due to hurricane Sandy” recalls Rob, “so we went to Brooklyn and helped with recovery, and played with some of the kids in the projects.”

Upon returning to Australia he “overcame that disappointment and came to Tokyo to run their marathon the following February.”

Rob was keen to point out that Nat was the fastest Indigenous marathon runner Australia had for a little while.

Nat has also continued to compete in two further marathons and five iron man triathlons, including the famous Kona World Championships in 2015.

Professionally, away from his chosen endurance sports, Nat was a manager in NSW Education developing Indigenous programs in the Newcastle region.

With the confidence he gained from being part of the IMF program, he relocated from Newcastle to Sydney, becoming one of the mentors for AIM and helping Indigenous students with their studies.

The plantar neuroma (also known as Morton’s neuroma) began to affect him late in 2016, and it got so big that Dr Clews was genuinely surprised that Nat could get around at all.

“The only option was surgery” explained Rob, and “for Clayton to provide it pro bono was wonderful.”

For an athlete, the anticipated 18 month wait in the public system would have been excruciating mentally, nevermind the pain and inconvenience endured in the rest of everyday life.

Rob informed us that he has been recommending people see Dr Clews about their podiatry issues for many years now, but admitted that “this was the first time we’ve tapped into his surgical abilities.”

The surgery appears to have been a success. Nat is expected to make a full recovery and will return to his rigorous training regime in the near future.

“The foundation uses running and the marathon to encourage pride and self-belief in Indigenous people and it’s been going for eight years now” Rob noted.

“Sport can be a celebration of life but it can bring you to your knees when you get injured.

“We’re very grateful of Clayton and others who have allowed the capacity to help this community.”