It is an honour to be running in the 2021 Virgin London Marathon on behalf of the Silver Star Society Fund 0347, which supports all Maternity Services in the Women’s Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

My connection with the Silver Star Society started back in June 1993, before I was even born, when my mother suffered a brain haemorrhage. At the time she was just 4 months pregnant with me and my identical twin brother.

She was a patient of the Silver Star Unit at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford for over 3 months and thanks to the exceptional special care that she received, we were born on 31 August 1993 - 7 weeks premature and very small but relatively healthy!

The money raised from the London Marathon will help purchase new CTG monitors that help to detect problems with unborn babies, fund research projects and buy equipment to enhance patient care. The Silver Star Unit relies heavily on donations, largely from the London Marathon, which of course hasn’t happened now for 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Making this year more important than ever. 

Without the wonderful care of the Silver Star Unit, a difficult start to life may have led to a very different story.  Please support my efforts and donate whatever you can to this unique and wonderful unit to give other sick mothers and unborn infants the same benefits my family have received.