This year Oxford’s Silver Star unit, which has cared for high-risk pregnancies at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford reaches its 40th birthday.

Over the years it has helped thousands of Oxfordshire parents.

Comedy television producer and In the Loop director, Armando Iannucci, whose three children were born at the unit, is among them.

Mr Iannucci, who produced The Day Today, Knowing Me, Knowing You... with Alan Partridge and The Thick of It, will lead a fundraising walk next month to raise cash for the unit.

The Silver Star Stroll In The Park will take place at University Parks, Keble Road, Oxford on May 22.

Here, Mr Iannucci tells Oxford Mail readers why he leading the event: “On Sunday, May 22, I’ll be strolling around the University Parks.

“Want to come and join me?

“It’s all in a good cause, raising funds for John Radcliffe Hospital’s world-renowned Silver Star unit, bringing round-the-clock care and expert treatment to mothers with problem pregnancies.

“It’s also a fun day out to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the unit, and I know that many parents, children and even grandchildren who have spent some time on the Silver Star wards over the past 40 years will be making a point of turning up.

“The Silver Star unit does that to you; once you’ve been through its care, and seen your newborn baby delivered safely into your hands when otherwise baby or mother may not have survived, then you feel compelled to thank it for as long as your children grow old.

“Silver Star fundraisers are full of grateful, healthy babies and parents who come back year after year, a little larger and a little taller, to say thank you to the team.

“The last time I wandered around the Oxford University Parks on a summer’s day was eight years ago when I was in between visits to see my wife and newborn daughter up on Level 6.

“There was a four-hour gap in the middle of the day while babies and mums were ‘resting’ (can mum’s have any rest with a newborn baby by their side?) so for a couple of weeks I had the happy dilemma of finding myself with nothing to do in Oxford during the day in very nice weather. I did a lot of walking, and a lot of reading.

“My little girl, Carmella, our first daughter, was the third of our kids to have been born with the Silver Star unit, so my entire family has been made possible by the service.

“The unit has brought us a lot of happiness and last year I was delighted to be asked to become its patron.

“Now, with strains on NHS resources, it’s vital we find every way possible to keep Silver Star up and running.

“The Walk In The Park, a sponsored 2km stroll, will help raise funds for a desperately needed scanner, costing £100,000.

“We’ll get there; I know we will. With the commitment and gratitude of the many people who’ve benefited from the unit, it may even be a walk in the park. See you there.”

For more details, and an entry form, look at the Silver Star Society websitesilverstaroford.org