As many of you will know, our beautiful twin boys, Noah and Lewis, arrived almost 14 weeks early on 29th November 2021.  They needed immediate specialist care and were transferred to the Neonatal ICU at the JR Hospital.  

Tragically, our incredibly brave oldest twin, Noah, lost his fight after only 6 days.  

Over the course of the next 4 and a half months, our courageous youngest twin, Lewis, faced a huge range of challenges before he was finally able to come home with us in the middle of April.

It's impossible to put into words what our family has been through over the past year.  Whilst it's been the most difficult time we've ever experienced, the boys have brought us so much happiness and love, and most of all, pride.  Pride in how both Noah and Lewis fought against the odds.  Pride in how much Noah looked out for his little brother.  Pride in how Lewis continues his fight.  Pride in how much joy both of them have given to us.

We've been able to call on support from friends, family, and colleagues, but we'd have been completely lost without the wonderful staff at the JR.  In incredibly difficult circumstances, in the middle of a global pandemic, they were the absolute best of people, providing us not only with expert care, but also with emotional support at every step.  We're proud - and privileged - to have had them beside us and our boys, fighting our corner.

I'm running the Oxford Half Marathon in Noah's memory, in recognition of Lewis's continuing fight, and to acknowledge and raise money for the vital work that SSNAP do to support sick & premature babies, their families, and the NHS staff that care for them. Thank you for supporting SSNAP. We massively appreciate it. 

Paul

SSNAP

In the UK, 1 in 10 babies need specialist care at birth. SSNAP supports sick & premature babies, their families and the amazing NHS staff that care for them in the Newborn Care Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Imagine your newborn baby needing specialist care at birth. Instead of those very special days getting to know your baby as a family, you're catapulted into an unfamiliar world of incubators, wires, medical tests and interventions. While your baby has specialist treatment, we provide emotional and practical support to help you through the trauma & upheaval. 

We're there to help families cope, and provide state-of-the-art medical equipment and nursing expertise that could save babies lives. 

In 2022, SSNAP will be celebrating 40 years of being there for families at a time when they need them most. Please support their #SSNAP40 appeal to raise an additional £40,000 in their anniversary year for their incredible cause to enable them to be even more of a lifeline to so many.