Oxford Hospitals Charity is delighted to announce that the annual Oxford Mail OX5 RUN has now raised over £1 million since it began in 2002.

Over the past 16 years, thousands of people have put on their trainers and run, walked or jogged the five mile fun run to help us transform care across the Oxford Children’s Hospital and the children’s ward at the Horton General.  

The success of the run at Blenheim Palace has funded some incredible projects, including equipment to cool babies  lacking oxygen at birth – to help prevent brain damage; tailored space for teens with cancer; a pain relief nurse; parent rooms and games and sensory equipment to make hospital as fun as possible for our young patients.

Last year’s event helped to fund laboratory equipment that can diagnose meningitis in just two hours, rather than three days.

Douglas Graham, Chief Executive of Oxford Hospitals Charity said:

 ‘When I joined the charity one of the first things the team told me about was the OX5 Run. They were so proud of it that they had me grabbing my trainers and signing up within days – despite not having run in over 20 years! On the run day I was kept going by the massive community support for this very special local cause. 

‘Fundraising works best when it is a real partnership – and the relationship we have with the Oxford Mail really exemplifies this. They have shown their support for the Oxford Children’s Hospital for over 16 years now – which is amazing, and to have raised £1 million in the process through this iconic Oxfordshire event is truly inspiring.

Everyone at the Children’s Hospital and the Oxford Children’s Hospital Charity are incredibly grateful to all at the Oxford Mail and of course the runners who have taken part to help reach the milestone of a magic million. We are also extremely appreciative to the event sponsors, Allen Associates who have supported the run for 9 years.’

Oxford Mail promotions and marketing manager, Jo Coady, heavily involved since the start, added: ‘To have raised over £1 million is such an incredible achievement and shows how generous our readers and fundraisers are.

‘The event is truly a community event and the money raised makes such a difference to the Children’s Hospital.

‘The run has grown every year and we hope this continues – here’s to £2million.’

Kate Allen – MD of Allen Associates, event sponsors, added:

‘We started sponsoring the OX5 Run nine years ago and are thrilled to support such a local institution. We love the fact that this is an event that all our team and many of the companies we work with can all get involved with, and that we can see first-hand what a difference the money raised makes in our local community.’

Oxford Children’s Hospital Charity (part of Oxford Hospitals Charity) funds specialist equipment, creates vastly improved hospital environments and supports hospital staff with additional training. The charity supports the Oxford Children’s Hospital and children’s services across the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

If your company or organisation would like to know more about supporting or donating to the Children's Hospital - or any of our hospital causes, do get in touch. Tel: 01865 743 444 Email: [email protected]  Donate online now    Other ways to support