Our Ambassadors

Jess Trengove

Although Jessica took up competitive running just four years ago, she is already building an impressive collection of achievements. In 2012 Jess ran her first marathon in Nagoya (Japan) in just 2:31:02 and after several anxious weeks qualified for the London Olympic Games. In just her second marathon she competed against the world’s best and finished an impressive 39th.

The following year, Jess finished 11th at the Moscow World Championships – the best performance ever by an Australian in the marathon. Then in 2014, Jess claimed the bronze medal in the marathon at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Jess has been involved with Little Heroes Foundation since 2012.

Connor Rozee

The Port Adelaide captain is one of the most talented young players in the competition, renowned for his slick ball use, excellent decision-making and classy right foot. Playing every game in 2022, Rozee quickly emerged as one of the best midfielders in the competition after a shift to the middle in Round 5. He averaged a career-best in disposals (23.2) tackles (3.8) and clearances (3.2). Although spending less time in front of goal than previous years, he is still incredibly dangerous in the forward 50 – scoring 18 majors on the year.

His career-best year in 2022 was awarded with the Showdown Medal and the Peter Badcoe VC Medal – topped off by receiving the John Cahill Medal and All-Australian selection for the first time in his career. He also finished top five in the AFL Coaches’ Association’s voting, displaying the respect he has developed league-wide.

Lily Foster

Lily has been involved in the sport of Diving since 2010. Lily has competed nationally and internationally several times for the Women’s 10 Metre Platform event. In 2020, she was awarded the ‘Peoples Choice Credit Union Women in Sport Scholarship’. In 2022, Lily was appointed as one of the AIS Gen32 diving coaches based in South Australia. She is now coaching athletes as young as nine in the high-performance space.

Lily says that recently over the years, issues revolving around mental health have become very evident not only among athletes, but in the wider community, and it is an area that would benefit from greater understanding and resources. Lily is passionate about supporting and giving back to a foundation that has done and will continue to do incredible work for South Australian children and families in more ways than one.

Leith Forrest

Leith is a seasoned radio host with an impressive 24-year tenure as a talk radio announcer at FIVEaa, where he currently co-hosts Adelaide’s favourite weekend breakfast show with Michael Keelan.

Leith has been deeply involved in Little Heroes Foundation initiatives, playing a pivotal role in hosting a variety of our events, from gala balls, and women’s lunches, to golf days, and has dedicated himself to assisting with slowdowns and taking LHF families to special events.

In his personal life, Leith finds fulfillment as a husband to Jessica and a devoted father to his two children, Bailey and Ella

Markus Hamence

Markus Hamence has been involved with The Little Heroes Foundation for the last fifteen years. What started as producing the fashion parades in the early days, to then hosting them, quickly led to producing the entertainment side of the many events held by the foundation including the much loved Melbourne Cup luncheon and the annual Gala. Markus also comperes the Best Dressed part of the Melbourne Cup Luncheon, which is always a barrel of fun and frivolity.

Markus wears many hats beyond his role at The Little Heroes. He’s an Interior Designer and the founder of ‘The Botanic Designer,’ known as Adelaide’s ‘Rockstar of Indoor Plants.’ Markus leads plant workshops across South Australia, reaching audiences of up to 130 people, and has appeared on Channel Nine’s ‘The Garden Hustle,’ expanding his reach nationally. In the arts and entertainment realm, Markus is a media entrepreneur, running ‘On Your Markus’ initially in The Adelaide Advertiser and now as a weekly segment on FivaAA with Kerrie Akkerman. Additionally, he operates ‘Markus Presents,’ bringing acclaimed artists like Rhonda Burchmore, Todd McKenney, Casey Donovan, Anthony Callea, Wendy Matthews, Joel Creasey, and many more to Adelaide’s The Regal Theatre and various locations.