Dear Friend,

I want to share something deeply personal — the story of my grandchildren, Owen and Aron, and the remarkable charity that helped when they were most needed.

In December 2021, my daughter Amy returned home from overseas where she had been running a community school. She was expecting twins, due in March 2022, and her husband was due to follow two weeks later with their belongings. A scan had revealed complications: fused placentas and one baby whose umbilical cord connected only to the foetal membrane. Even so, their personalities were already shining through — one lively and kicking, the other peaceful and content, as if he already knew his brother needed extra energy.

Then, at 4am on 19th December, everything changed. Nearly three months before their due date, and with her husband still overseas, the sac around the more active twin suddenly burst. In an instant, joy turned to fear. Without the protective fluid he needed, we rushed to the John Radcliffe Hospital, where doctors warned a C section might be needed far sooner than planned — far too soon.

Within two days, the situation grew critical: the active twin began to weaken, and the doctors said his brother would likely follow. There was no more waiting.

“To have any chance of saving them, we need to perform an emergency caesarean,” the doctor said, handing over consent forms as Amy was moved onto a trolley.

And so, Amy prepared to welcome them both and hoped they would fight for their lives.

At 4:25pm on Tuesday 21st December, Owen entered the world — tiny, fragile, weighing just 2lb, but screaming with every ounce of strength he had. A true warrior from his very first breath, his cry brought surprise and relief to the medical team and to his mother.

Two minutes later, Aron followed — calmer and steadier, but just as determined — letting out a small but defiant cry of his own.

After the briefest of glances (not even a physical touch), they were taken straight to intensive care. Over the following days, their characters continued to show: Owen wriggling and battling every challenge; Aron watchful and calm, as if to say, “We’re here — don’t give up on us.”

Because this was during the height of COVID restrictions, I didn’t meet them until early February — seven long weeks of wondering whether they would survive long enough for me to whisper their names into their tiny ears.

Those seven weeks changed me. They taught me how fragile life is, how fiercely we can love, and how much we owe to the people who stand beside us in our darkest moments.

Through every moment, SSNAP (Supporting Sick Newborns and their Parents) stood beside us. They supported Amy when she was exhausted and afraid; they helped the hospital staff caring for the twins hour by hour; and they provided everything from clothes too small to fit a child’s doll, to emotional and practical support when we had no idea what tomorrow would bring.

Now, four and a half years later, Owen and Aron are thriving — joyful, energetic, and full of life, spreading happiness to everyone they meet. Watching them run, laugh, and enjoy the childhood they fought so hard for is a gift I will never take for granted.

Wanting to see them grow up — through nursery, school, university, careers, and everything beyond — inspired me to transform my own health and fitness. With support from Harwell Harriers in Didcot with twice weekly club sessions and Parkrun each Saturday I gradually built up my distances and strength. Running, a change of diet and this motivation has given me the best possible chance of staying fit and healthy to watch them grow into adulthood — and it has changed my life for the better.

That is why I am running the Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday 11th October 2026 — for Owen, for Aron, and for SSNAP, the charity that guided us through our darkest days.

I know there are many demands on everyone’s finances right now. This is my first charity run since starting my fitness journey, and your support means more to our family than I can put into words.

Every donation, no matter how small, helps SSNAP continue supporting premature and critically ill babies and their families through the same fear and uncertainty we faced in December 2021. Your gift will help give another family hope when they need it most.

My target is to raise £3,700 for a twin incubator allowing twins to stay together during ther neonatal stay.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you so much.

John

jpunhurried@outlook.com