A MUM whose two-year-old daughter spends days in hospital each month due to seizures is running the OX5 to thank ‘incredible’ staff.

Kayleigh Jaycock, her husband David and their young daughter have been regular visitors to the children’s ward at the Horton and the Oxford Children’s Hospital since Poppy started getting seizures aged nine months.

Her seizures often last anywhere from five to 40 minutes and are frequently caused by an infection, with the hospitals having become a home from home.

Mrs Jaycock, from Enstone near Chipping Norton, said Poppy’s second seizure was the most serious as she became unresponsive and an air ambulance had to be called.

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She said: “We were in the doctors surgery of all places but they didn’t know what was going on. If a nurse hadn’t come in I don't know what would have happened."

The 32-year-old, who said she still suffered from post traumatic stress over the incident, added: "I was in quite a dark place for a while wondering why Poppy has to go through. I had to get myself out of that mindset and decided to do something positive and so when I saw signs for the OX5 I decided to sign up."

She explained: “The hospitals have been incredible since day one.

Oxford Mail:

"Throughout our hospital stay we’ve celebrated birthdays, Christmas, the good times and the bad times but the staff have really helped us despite family life being turned upside down.

"We can stay up to 10 days at a time and sometimes that can be monthly. This is incredibly hard as I have two older children and being away from them for such long periods of time is very difficult. Thank god for FaceTime.

"Without the hospitals charity we wouldn’t have a bed to sleep on, food provided for us and the up to date equipment that they use as well as the endless supply of Peppa Pig DVDs."

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The mum said she was also inspired by the knowledge that every seizure for Poppy was the equivalent of running a marathon, saying: "It may not be a marathon but for someone who's never run before five miles feels like it!"

She has raised more than £1,000 in 18 days.

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The Oxford Mail OX5 Run will, once again, take runners around a five-mile course at Blenheim Palace on Sunday, March 29.

Fundraisers can walk, jog or run the event, sponsored by Allen Associates, all in aid of supporting Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Last year’s was one of the best ever for the OX5 with 1,100 runners raising £150,000 for the children’s hospital.

All money raised goes towards improving equipment and care at the Headington hospital, the children’s ward at the Horton General Hospital and the Paediatric Critical Care Unit.

Oxford Mail:

Joe Baker, from Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “We are always inspired when we hear why people are taking part in our very special fun run. After meeting Kayleigh, David and the adorable Poppy, it’s clear that they have the enthusiasm and passion and drive to help us make the 2020 fun run the best yet.”

He added: “The OX5 Run is all about families and patients taking part and saying a great big thank you to the hospital that cares for them or their loved ones.

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"We encourage everyone to lace up their trainers and get involved on Sunday, March 29 and help us make a real difference to our young patients treated at the Oxford Children’s Hospital and Children’s Ward at the Horton General each year.”

Sign up at hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run.