THE starting gun has been fired for next year’s Oxford Mail OX5 Run as places open for runners in the fundraising extravaganza.

Organisers have revealed that last year’s run at Blenheim Palace raised a record-smashing £114,000 for poorly children in the county – the most since the first OX5 in 2003.

Its is hoped athletes in the 13th OX5 Run, on Sunday March 29, will gather even more for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Oxford Children’s Hospital spokeswoman Sarah Vaccari said: “The last two years we’ve seen more people than ever raise huge sums of money for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

“We are hoping that Oxford Mail readers will get behind the event again this year and help us raise even more to make a difference for our young people.”

Our top stories

Money raised from this year’s event has already been put to good use.

New breast pumps have been bought to go beside every cot in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and a nurse specialising in pain management for children has been funded.

Oxford Mail:

Finlay White, nine, was diagnosed with the bone cancer, osteosarcoma, in August 2013. He underwent regular rounds of chemotherapy on Kamran’s Ward at Oxford Children’s Hospital, part of the West Wing at the John Radcliffe, which ended this September.

His cancer is now in remission and after a major operation to remove a bone in his leg he is getting around on crutches.

Mum Suzanne White, who ran last year, said the money raised from the OX5 Run helped her son pass the time and receive the best care possible. Mrs White said: “I can’t say how thankful we are to the Children’s Hospital and to the people who run in OX5 and donate. They’ve done so much for Finlay and so many other children.’’ Oxford recruitment firm Allen Associates will be sponsoring the event for the seventh year in a row and directors Kate and Rob Allen will both be taking part.

Managing director Kate Allen said: “We are delighted to be supporting the OX5 Run again. The Children’s Hospital is a great cause.”

The late Duke of Marlborough was a great supporter of the run, enabling use of the palace and even starting the race in 2008.

Graham Brogden, head of community fundraising, said: “His legacy will live on in the difference the Children’s Hospital makes to thousands of young people and their families from across the region.”

Sign up to take part

 

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.