Our story.

As some of you will know, our second pregnancy was twins, and it turned to be quite the complicated ordeal. It was touch and go for a while, but thankfully they arrived safely and once born they remained in the care of the JR for the first few weeks of their lives. During this time, which was highly stressful and emotional, the volunteers of SSNAP (Supporting Sick Newborn And their Parents) were absolutely fantastic, providing support and advice to us throughout.

This is the 'visible' side of what SSNAP do, however they also are involved in research and providing much needed equipment - I encourage you to read more below or visit https://www.ssnap.org.uk/pages/12-what-we-do.

So, fast forward 6 years, the twins William and Samuel are two energetic, healthy, lively boys, and I'm finally doing something about repaying that support we received. I'm pushing myself way out of my comfort zone to raise money and awareness by signing up for the Oxford Half Marathon!

Many who know me will chuckle at the idea of me 'running', my brother's comment along the lines of "Stephen run? I've NEVER EVER seen him go out for a run", and he'd be about right. At time of writing I've been training for the last 8 weeks, and with 6 weeks to go I am just about managing half of a half marathon!

So please dig deep, put up some cash, and give me the final push of encouragement I need to go further than I've ever run in my life!

Thank you.

MORE ABOUT SSNAP:

When newborn babies need specialist, often lifesaving, medical care at birth it can be a traumatic and difficult time for parents and families.

In 2024, SSNAP will be celebrating 42 years of supporting parents and their premature sick babies at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford - providing both emotional and practical support, 365 days a year, being a life-line at a time when parents need us most.

We fund essential medical life-saving equipment, research, and support the amazing NHS staff on the neonatal unit with training and study days, to enable them to continue to provide the very best of care.