I'm doing the Rough Runner and Blenheim Triathlon to support David and Hannah and raise money for Thinking of Oscar. Not only because they are friends, but also because my 9 month old son, Joshua, has benefitted from the technology introduced at the John Radcliffe Hospital by Thinking of Oscar.

At the beginning of March this year Josh picked up chickenpox from our daughter, Beth. Beth had had a mild case, however, Josh got a very severe case, which coupled with his eczema meant he was very poorly and doctors were concerned he had/was at high risk of a skin infection.

Josh spent 3 days in hospital. The first night was particularly harrowing for Jude, my wife, who was staying with him. We had spent the best part of the day in A&E and doctors decided to put him on antibiotics and keep him in for observation. During the night his temperature kept on rising and he was clearly in a lot of distress, so doctors put an IV in him for fluids, antivirals and pain relief.

Whilst in hospital one of the AccuVein (provided by Thinking of Oscar) was used on him twice, once to get a blood sample in A&E and again during the first night in Child Decision Unit (CDU) when he was put on an IV. With the AccuVein the process of getting the needle in was quick, saving Josh (and just as importantly Jude) from too much discomfort.

We are aware that what happen to Oscar was quite unusual, but we are also aware life is anything but usual.

We are fortunate that we were able to bring Josh home.