WHEN Gareth and Nic Keymer’s twins were born prematurely, the couple were told to prepare for the worst.
But thanks to Oxford Children’s Hospital and the twins’ fighting spirit, the pair pulled through with remarkably few complications.
To thank staff at the hospital, on the site of the John Radcliffe in Headington, for their care of Gethin and Iestyn, Mr Keymer’s family is running the OX5 Run on Sunday, March 10, at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock.
The twin’s grandmother Judith Keymer, 62, uncle David Keymer, 37, and his fiancé Elise Donnelly, their dad Gareth Keymer, 35, and his colleague Jake Motion, 24, are running the five miles as Team Keymer.
Now five, the twins, their mum Nic Keymer, 33, and their sister Lilidh – who will be two the day before the race – will be cheering on the team.
Mr Keymer said: “Gethin and Iestyn were born about as early as you can get at 24 weeks, so we were in the baby unit for a long time.
“They are both miracles, but Gethin was perhaps more miraculous.
“He had a bleed in his brain and had to have three surgeries while he was there. It was a really trying time but the staff were brilliant.
“The twins were just over 700 grams(1lb 8oz) they weren’t much bigger than little action man dolls.
“They were strong fighters though. We were amazed the doctors could operate on someone so tiny.”
The family, from Harwell, have already raised £900.
The twins are both doing well at Chilton Primary School in Didcot but Gethin has to use a wheelchair because he has cerebral palsy following birth complications.
Mr Keymer added: “As far as we can tell he has a great little mind.
“He is in mainstream school with his brother and scoots about quite happily in his wheelchair. They are both great little characters.”
Mr Keymer, a teacher at St Mary and John Church of England Primary School in Iffley, has entered the OX5 Run twice before and is making this year his hat-trick.
- This year marks the 11th year of the race, which is sponsored by Oxford-based recruitment firm Allen Associates and organised by the Oxford Mail.
Enter online via the above button, by calling 01865 743444 or by downloading and posting in our OX5 2013 entry form.pdf
If you or someone else has a special reason for entering then please email our OX5 Reporter Katriona Ormiston
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