People across Oxfordshire are being asked to grab their trainers and sign up for a five mile run in support of the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

The OX5 RUN is an annual event at Blenheim Palace that has been raising funds to improve the lives of young patients at the Oxford Children's Hospital for over two decades.

This year the run is taking place on Sunday March 24th and already around 250 people have signed up to take part.

One of those is fun run regular, Phil Rose, from Abingdon. Phil, ran the five mile route last year in an inflatable panda suit. He has taken part in the event every year since 2013, when his daughter Maizie was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma at the age of two.

He explains: “Maizie had incredible care on Kamran’s Ward at the Children’s Hospital and we will forever be grateful. That’s why this event is so important to us.

“The effects of the cancer mean that she continues to have regular treatment and recently had surgery on her legs. She amazes me every day with her courage and good humour, and this run reminds us how lucky we are, despite everything she has been through.”

Lucy Walker, Senior Events Manager at Oxford Hospitals Charity said:

“It means so much to us when families who have first-hand experience of our Children’s Hospital sign up for this very special event. But anyone can take part – and we’d love to see the whole Oxfordshire community really getting behind the event once again.

“Last year the OX5 RUN raised an incredible £100,000 to help local children in hospital and we hope this year’s event will be even bigger and better.

“The event helps transform our hospitals for younger patients, and we are incredibly grateful to all the families, friends, hospital staff, and local businesses - who take part each year to make a difference for local children in hospital.”

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You can run, walk or jog the five mile route, and the event is open to those aged ten and over. Money raised funds specialist medical equipment and creates more welcoming spaces for young patients in the Children’s Hospital as well as Children’s Emergency and Critical Care areas, Horton General Children’s Ward and Nuffield Orthopaedic Children’s area.

Entry costs £29 for those who sign up by 4th Feb as part of the early bird special and £16 for children. For more information or to sign up visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run

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