1 March 2021

Twin dad Richard Hayward from Kent is taking on not one, but two marathon events in a day to raise money for Twins Trust.

Blessed with the arrival of healthy twin boys, George and Freddie at St Helier Hospital in November 2019, their proud dad wanted to give something back as he knows multiple birth pregnancies can face difficulties.

“Twins Trust is such an incredible charity. It helps people who might need a lot of support, physically and emotionally, campaigns nationally for multiple birth families to get better care and not be forgotten and raises funds for research.

For our family, Twins Trust has been such a useful resource bank of advice and knowledge – we have learnt so much and needed to as we had no idea what to expect.

"I found the information on feeding twins a lifeline.”

Expecting twins came as a shock to Richard and wife Laura.

“There are no twins in our family. It was at our 12-week scan that the sonographer casually started scanning and said, "congratulations I see two babies". Cue our shock and gasps and his response of "you did not know?"

“Ironically in one of the parenting books I had read out to my wife the week before the scan a line in it which was something like, if you find out you are expecting multiples put the book down and sleep now to get you ready. We laughed at how there are no twins in our family but how cool that would be. Little did we know!”

“Laura was incredible throughout her pregnancy, both keen on our exercise, she trained right up until the day before with a Sunday morning swim for both of us. We are both convinced that helped immensely in her recovery as she was up and about in no time.

“We also didn’t know until they were born whether the boys were going to be identical due to a fused placenta.

“We both dived into research, but you ultimately learn once they arrive. They were great weights at 5lb 6 and 5lb 3, we spent four days in hospital due to some possible jaundice and Freddie taking time to take his milk, but the staff in the ward were absolutely unbelievable.

Even though the boys are not identical, at the start we had to have coloured wrist bands on them as they looked incredibly similar. If they lost those, I would have to refer to my wife who somehow just instantly knew who was who, for me it took a little longer!

On April 9^th Richard 2021 will be taking on two marathons across four disciplines with a half marathon on each. They are running, rowing, skiing and assault bike.

“This is a big challenge. I have been training for a while before going public with it as I wasn't confident that I’d get to do it all back-to-back and therefore wanted to put a decent amount of training and tests in first.

“I’m still very daunted but have a bit more time to continue to get myself in the best possible fitness to complete it on the day. 

“I will be out early-doors for the run, then straight into the row, followed by the ski and then the dementor of exercise machines, the assault bike.

“My boys, whilst I am sure they will support through the window, will not be in the garage at any point on the day, the moment they hear any of the exercise machines they burst into tears due to the noise or perhaps due to thinking their Dad will one day get them out there with him!”