My family have been supporters of SSNAP since its founding in 1983 and this is my fourth year of running the Oxford Half for this incredible charity. At the start of this year I found myself a recipient of the charity when our son, Rex, spent his first month in the NICU at the John Radcliffe.

During our time there the team at SSNAP supported us and tried to make that first month less stressful. The team were always around for a chat and to see if we needed anything; providing snacks or lunch and spaces within the NICU to spend a little time away from the ward. 

The support we received from the team at SSNAP made a truly difficult time bearable and they’ve done the same for countless other families for over forty years. 

I am proud to continue supporting SSNAP so that they can keep working with families and helping them through some of the most difficult days, just as they helped us. 

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, alarms, medical tests and urgent interventions — a journey no parent is ever prepared for.

While your baby has specialist treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital, SSNAP provide vital support to families. We also fund equipment for the unit, invest in training for NHS staff, run Little SSNAPlings and support research projects.