Running a 10K for the Unit That Saved Our Twins
In 2023, twin boys, Oliver and Louie, were born suddenly at just 28 weeks.
Weighing just 930g and 795g, they were immediately taken to the Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – a place they had never expected to find themselves, but one they will forever hold close to their hearts.
“Those early days were incredibly hard. Seeing our babies so tiny, surrounded by wires and machines, and not knowing if we’d even get to hold them was heartbreaking. But from the very first moment, the team at the Oliver Fisher Unit were amazing. The doctors, nurses, and wider staff provided exceptional care to our boys – and to us. They answered every question with patience and compassion, and supported us through the most frightening time of our lives.”
Oliver and Louie spent the first six weeks of their lives at the unit, and 15 weeks in hospital overall. At one point, after being transferred back to their local hospital, one of the twins became unwell and had to be sent back to the Oliver Fisher Unit for more specialist care. It meant Oliver and Louie’s family were suddenly juggling two babies in two different hospitals – a deeply emotional and logistically challenging time.
“As parents, we were trying to juggle the unimaginable – caring for our premature twins in the NICU while making sure our eldest son, Harry, felt supported and included at home. Harry showed incredible resilience through it all, and the NICU staff were so kind and engaging with him whenever he visited, always making him feel like part of his brothers’ journey.”
Their Mum shared that it felt impossible at times to be everything for everyone, but the team at Oliver Fisher lifted them up when they needed it the most. The team cared not just for the babies, but for the whole family. Their compassion, support, and the way they kept checking in on them – even with everything they had on their plates – made a world of difference. They will never forget how they were looked after in the hardest chapter of their lives.
Both of the boys are true little fighters. They’ve overcome so much already in their short lives, including each needing surgery during their hospital stay. Their strength – and the strength of their family and the care team around them – has been nothing short of inspiring.
“That’s why I’m running this 10k – to raise money for the unit that gave our sons the chance to survive and thrive. Every penny goes towards life-saving equipment and support for other families going through the unimaginable. We’ll never forget what they did for our boys – we owe them everything.”
