Harwell grandfather John Porter will run 13.1 miles at the Oxford Half Marathon on 11 October to raise money for the Oxford charity that supported his family after his twin grandsons were born three months premature.
John Porter, 68, is fundraising for SSNAP (Supporting Sick Newborns and their Parents), which provides emotional support, practical help and specialist resources to families and staff at the Oxford Neonatal Unit.
His connection with the charity began in December 2021, when his daughter Amy was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital after sudden complications in her twin pregnancy.
With her husband overseas and both babies in danger, doctors warned that an emergency caesarean was the only chance of saving them.
Owen was born at 4.25pm on 21 December, weighing just 2lbs. Two minutes later, his twin brother Aron was delivered. Both babies were taken directly to intensive care.
COVID-19 restrictions meant Porter had to wait seven weeks before he could meet his grandsons.
“Those seven weeks changed me,” he said. “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.”
Porter said SSNAP provided support to his daughter during an exhausting and frightening period, as well as practical help for the family and resources for those caring for the twins.
“Through every moment, SSNAP stood beside us,” he said. “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.”
Four and a half years later, Owen and Aron are described by their grandfather as energetic and healthy.
Their progress has also prompted Porter to change his own approach to fitness. With the help of Harwell Harriers, he has gone from being a non-runner to preparing for his first half marathon.
“I’m running the Oxford Half for Owen, for Aron, and for SSNAP,” he said. “This is my way of giving something back.”
Porter has raised almost £4,000 so far through his fundraising campaign.
“I am extremely grateful for any support given,” he said. “Everything goes to a charity that helped us, and so many others, through our darkest days.”
The 2026 Oxford Half Marathon takes place on 11 October and is sold out. The organisers are inviting prospective runners to register their interest for the 2027 event, with registration expected to open after this year’s race.
Donations to Porter’s fundraiser can be made through his JustGiving page.
