Local father laces up his trainers in aid of the Jessop Wing
Matthew and Bec’s daughter, Eva
Matthew O’Nyons is putting on running shoes for the first time and has entered the Asda Foundation Sheffield Half Marathon to raise money for Sheffield Hospitals Charity as a way of thanking the medical team that saved his daughter’s life.
Last November, Matthew’s daughter Eva was born at the Jessop Wing Maternity Unit at just 32 weeks. She was not breathing, and the medical team worked for nine minutes before the tiny baby let out her first cry and was then rushed to intensive care.
Matthew’s fiancé Bec was cared for on the postnatal ward following an emergency c-section and the couple were finally able to take their new daughter home nearly five weeks later.
The electrical engineer from Buxton is now taking on his first half marathon to thank the Jessop Wing and to help parents going through a similar journey.
He is aiming to raise £500 and said: “It feels great to be able to give something back to the Jessop Wing after all the support we received through the pregnancy, birth and time spent in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with baby Eva.
“I really wanted the opportunity to help others going through the same thing especially as we received extra support from the Jessop Wing as Bec’s water broke at only 22 weeks. By running my first ever half marathon I thought I could contribute to the incredible work delivered at the maternity hospital.”
Sheffield Hospitals Charity is an official charity partner of the Asda Foundation Sheffield Half Marathon. Places are still available for runners who want to take part on behalf of the charity and raise money to improve the treatment of patients and support NHS staff to deliver the best quality of care across all Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
Rebecca Slow, Community and Events Fundraiser at Sheffield Hospital Charity, commented:
“We are very appreciative of Matthew’s fundraising and given his personal connection to the Jessop Wing it makes his efforts even more inspirational.
“We would like to wish Matthew all the best with his first ever half marathon and if Matthew’s story has inspired you, then please get in touch as there are still places available to run on behalf of Sheffield Hospitals Charity.”
The scenic yet hilly half marathon takes place on March 29 and attracts thousands of runners of all abilities and spectators to the city’s streets.
