Abigail Lewis is one of many amazing doctors working at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and this March she is lacing up her running shoes to take part in the OX5 Run, raising money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

The children’s hospital holds a special place in Abigail’s heart, as she worked in Paediatric Surgery as a junior doctor during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It was heart-wrenching, amazing and inspiring working at the John Radcliffe during that time, with such wonderful colleagues and patients.” Says Abigail.  

“Even though I now work in acute medicine, I’ve never left the hospital and those first few years made me the doctor I am today!”

“The children’s hospital in Oxford offers first-class care for our patients, with support for families and facilities to make the time in hospital as fun, happy and relaxed as possible for the children!

“I saw first-hand just how much Oxford Hospitals Charity helped staff and patients during covid. That was where I first heard of them. They do so much good in and around the hospital - so much, so we are lacing up our trainers on our days off to get in training.”

Abigail, who lives in Oxford, has joined a team of runners  that is mostly made up of staff from the Oxford Vaccine Group.

They are a mix of researchers, those who run clinical trials and admin staff – and many of the team, including regular OX5 runner, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, were involved in helping to create the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Oxford Vaccine Group has taken part in the OX5 Run for many years. “We have decided that we are in it to win it,” laughs Abigail, “we want to be the first team over the line!

“I have run marathons for charities before, but this will be a faster shorter run, something that I need to train for and it’s been really nice to train with the other members of the team.”

Jane Bray, Marketing Communications Officer from Oxford Hospitals Charity said “We wish the Oxford Vaccine Group every success in their bid to come first on the day! There will be some stiff competition but that makes it all the more fun!

“And most importantly they will be helping us raise funds to continue to make an important difference in the Oxford Children’s Hospital and children’s services across the whole of our NHS Trust”

If you would like to gather a team of colleagues or friends together, like Abigail, and join the OX5 Run, visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run - or simply sign up and run on your own.

You can run, walk or jog the five mile route at Blenheim Palace which takes place on Sunday 26 March.