Sometimes, saying thank you just doesn’t feel like enough.
For one family, the care they received from the teams at Jessop Wing during a complicated pregnancy and the premature birth of their twin boys is something they will never forget.
Now mum Hannah is getting ready to take on the Great North Run as her way of giving something back to the people who supported her family through some of the most difficult weeks of their lives.
Their journey began at just 17 weeks, when they were referred from Chesterfield to Sheffield after doctors identified a significant difference in the size of the twins.
As the pregnancy progressed, Hannah developed severe pre-eclampsia and was admitted to hospital several times before eventually being moved to the Acute Obstetric Care Unit for closer monitoring.
The boys were always expected to arrive early, and when the day of their planned caesarean section finally came, Hannah remembers the operating theatre being full of activity but feeling remarkably calm.
“I remember it feeling like the busiest room in the world and yet the calmest experience throughout. The team cared for us all and then they let us briefly meet them. Our tiny little boys were here, and I have never felt relief like it.”
Both boys were then taken to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where the family’s journey continued. Dad Matt was supported to become involved in their care, while the neonatal nurses helped the family through the highs and lows of their progress.
When one of the twins, baby James, needed additional support and moved to the High Dependency Unit, mum and dad split their time between the twins, while staff continued to look after the whole family.
“They really noticed the extra stress and regularly checked in on us as parents, as well as caring for our boys.”
The family also received support from breastfeeding specialists and the psychology team, after a nurse noticed Matt was struggling.
Eventually, the boys were well enough to move to Chesterfield for the next stage of their care. While their parents were relieved, leaving Jessop Wing was incredibly emotional.
“We had formed relationships with so many of them, they saw us at our most vulnerable and supported us in the most comforting way.”
Now, with their two boys safely home and growing, Hannah has decided to take on the Great North Run to say thank you.
“I’ll never be able to repay those wonderful people for all those months of support... but at least I can shine a light on the truly amazing individuals that make up the wing and raise as much as I can towards anything they need.”
For her, every mile will be a thank you to the people who helped bring her family through an incredibly difficult time.
“Being able to get back to fitness whilst raising money has meant so much to me. I want to provide as much as I can for Sheffield Hospitals Charity. Without the staff at Jessops, my family wouldn't be what it is now. The unit saved my boys and me; I will never be able to thank them enough for how they cared for us. I wish I could personally thank each every one of those we came across, so this is my best contribution for now!”
You can still donate to Hannah’s fundraising page here.
Published: Wednesday 9th of September 2026