WHEN eight-year-old Rose Breach was admitted to Oxford Children's Hospital, she wasn't exactly expecting to have a brilliant time.

However, little girls and boys like Rose and Leila-Rae Budini, from Oxford, do have fun, and more importantly receive world-class treatment.

That is partly down to the phenomenal fundraising of the valiant volunteers who each year join the Oxford Mail's OX5 sponsored run..

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Among those runners are a dedicated team who have been joining the charity challenge for longer than Rose has even been alive.

The staff from Oxford recruitment firm Allen Associates are now celebrating their 10th anniversary as the official sponsors of the charity challenge at Blenheim Palace.

Last week, managing director Kate Allen visited the hospital to meet children like Rose and Leila-Rae who benefit from the fundraising.

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She said: “Whenever we visit the hospital, it demonstrates that our efforts have been so worthwhile.

"When you know what a difference it makes, it just spurs you on to do more.

“The OX5 Run is a major event for us, we talk to everyone who comes into the office about this fantastic event, and as the day gets closer, we all feel a real sense of excitement."

She added: “We also hear from clients who have benefitted from medical treatment, and when you learn this, you feel a real sense of shared purpose.”

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The annual event has now raised more than £1,000,000 and helped fund vital monitoring equipment and support.

The five-mile fundraiser, round the grounds of Blenheim Palace, will take place on Sunday, March 24.

Sarah Vaccari, from Oxford Hospitals Charity, added: “It’s been a complete delight to work with Allen Associates over the past ten years, and their support for the OX5 Run has been amazing.

"As well as sponsoring the event, they always enter a team, come up with new promotion ideas and really help spread the word amongst other businesses.

"This event is really special because so many families with first-hand experience of the children’s hospital take part, alongside hospital staff and people from the local community – so it’s fantastic to have a local company playing such an important role.

"Here’s to the next ten years."

You can still sign up to take part at ox5run.co.uk