A caring father is lacing up his running shoes and taking part in the OX5 RUN on Sunday 20th March for the ninth time, to thank the Oxford Children’s Hospital for saving his daughter's life nearly a decade ago.

Phil Rose, who lives in Abingdon, first got involved in the OX5 RUN in 2013, after he received the heartbreaking news that his two-year-old was diagnosed with cancer when doctors found a stomach tumour.

Maizie, who is now aged eleven, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma – a rare form of childhood cancer that affects just over 100 children a year in the UK. 

She underwent treatment on Kamran’s Ward at the Oxford Children’s Hospital, where Phil praised the ‘incredible’ care and compassion that the family received throughout the course of Maizie’s treatment. He explains:

“Nearly a decade on, we still remember the first time we walked into the hospital and onto the ward, we felt like we were in safe hands and the care we received – and still continue to receive - is nothing but incredible.

I’ve always said that as long as I am alive, I’ll get involved and support the hospital that saved my daughter’s life, and nearly a decade later I’m still sticking to that promise.” 

Over the last nine years, Phil has entered Team Maizie into the OX5 RUN, which is made up of family and friends. The team have raised thousands to help local children in hospital.

This year Phil is determined to raise even more for the hospital that saved his daughter, as Maizie will require further treatment and monitoring from the hospital in years to come.

The five-mile fun run has helped fund many transformative projects across the hospital including support towards parental accommodation, state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and even a play specialist to help calm and distract children having important scans.

Phil adds: “We’ve seen the first-hand difference that the run makes to the hospital, and so if you are a returning runner, walker, jogger or first-time runner, I urge you to get involved and support this special hospital as you never know when you or a loved one might need it.

The OX5 RUN, which is sponsored by Oxfordshire recruitment agency Allen Associates, has taken place every year since 2002, raising more than £1 million to provide extra support for local children in hospital.

This year’s event takes place on Sunday 20th March and is back at Blenheim Palace, after two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Entrants of all abilities are encouraged to enter and raise £200 in sponsorship.

Entry costs £27 per adult and £15 per child aged over 10 if they sign up as part of the ‘early bird special’ with prices rising to £35 per adult and £17.50 per child after the Monday 31st January.

Joe Baker, from Oxford Hospitals Charity adds: “We’re delighted that Phil is back with Team Maizie for the ninth year. The OX5 RUN is an event that has the community placed at the centre of it’ heart, and we’d like to encourage anyone who has had contact with our hospitals or knows someone who has to get involved."

"With your help we can make a difference to thousands of patients and their families treated at the hospital each year.”

You can enter the run individually or as a team, for more information or to sign up click here