A father who tragically lost his twin sons in August last year is taking on a gruelling challenge in their memory.

Chinnor man Paul Masters is running 365 miles in 365 days in memory of his twin sons James and Ryan.

August 5, 2020, was supposed to be the happiest day of Paul and wife Siobhan's lives - their twin boys were finally due to make an appearance in a planned c-section at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

But before the c-section, hospital staff were unable to find a heartbeat for biggest twin James and the heartbeat for smaller twin Ryan was low.

Siobhan was rushed into emergency surgery - but tragically James was born sleeping.

Ryan was still fighting, but was in a serious situation and was moved to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Paul said: "Over the next five and a half days having been cooled to try to prevent brain seizures and managing multiple organ failure, we finally had to make the heart-breaking decision to let him go and join his brother.

"However in his usual fighting way, when the machines that were keeping him alive were removed, he kept breathing on his own and although nothing could be done for him he kept holding on for that bit longer. He was entering what became know as 'Ryan Time'.

"We got transferred to Helen & Douglas House children’s hospice to spend what we knew were the final hours/days with Ryan. He finally left us after a further three and a half days, on 14th August."

Paul has now decided to take on the difficult challenge of running 365 miles in 365 days to raise money for three charities that helped Paul and Siobhan and their boys - Helen & Douglas House, SSNAP and the Oxford Hospitals Charity.

He initially set a target of £1,000, but that has been smashed already.

Paul said: "The reason I am doing this fundraiser is because quite honestly without the support of these three charities I honestly don't think my wife Siobhan and I could have got through what was the most awful and challenging time.

"Thanks to the Ashfield Bereavement Suite at the John Radcliffe funded by the Oxford Hospitals Charity , James was able to stay with us in our room in a 'cool cot' so we could take all the time we needed to say goodbye whilst still being able to be close to Ryan in the NICU downstairs.

"The charity SSNAP (support for the sick newborn and their parents) really helped us through too whilst by Ryan's bedside. They provided us with food and a pram to go out for a walk in the grounds giving Ryan the chance to feel the sun and wind on his face.

"Finally Helen & Douglas House were superb. Giving us the chance to spend three precious days with Ryan going for walks around the grounds. Reading him story books and films to watch together, all the things we had dreamed of doing but never thought we would get the chance.

"They provided anything we needed to make all the memories we could whilst offering us constant support and reassurance that when the time came, they would be there for us. They also fed us and even checked in on him every hour through the night so we could get some well needed sleep.

"Without charity funding these things could not keep running and I couldn't begin to imagine how hard it would be to go through any child loss without these things in place. So please do what you can so other parents get the same support we had."

You can donate to Paul's fundraiser at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulMasters12