OX5 Run is back to raise funds for Oxford Children's Hospital

The Oxford Mail OX5 Run, which is sponsored by local recruitment agency, Allen Associates, has taken place every year since 2002, raising more than £1million since it started to provide extra support for local children in hospital.

ALSO READ: Singer Jason Donovan supported patients at Oxford Children's Hospital

Like so many events, last year’s run had to be cancelled just weeks before it was due to take place at Blenheim Palace, although a number of people still ran in their local areas.

The 2021 event, taking place on Sunday, March 28, will be virtual, with runners and walkers asked to complete five miles close to their homes.

Gail Williams, from Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "It is of course disappointing that for the second year running we can’t be at beautiful Blenheim Palace for the run, but we know we can still make it a really special day that brings people together – albeit online.

"There will be a virtual warm up, messages of support from young patients and hospital staff, your own runner’s number and of course a medal sent to you on completion.

"This event is usually our biggest fundraiser of the year for the Children’s Hospital and with the support of our local community we really hope can still raise as much as possible to make a difference to the thousands of children looked after by our hospital teams."

Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, is a regular OX5 runner and has already pledged his support for the event.

ALSO READ: OX5 Runners jog at home for Oxford Children's Hospital after Blenheim event is cancelled

He said: "We have all been in the same team, in a race together to beat the pandemic and I am looking forward to the virtual race to raise some money for local children in hospital."

Another OX5 regular is Julia Spargo from Bicester, who has entered the event for the past 10 years. Her daughter, Beth, was born with dislocated hips, breathing problems and a cleft palate, with doctors unsure if she would ever be able to walk.

Ms Spargo runs with a team of friends and family calling themselves ‘Beth’s Bees’ all dressed in stripy yellow, to thank the NHS staff for Beth’s care.

She said: "I started running the OX5 when Beth was a few months old. As she gets older she is more and more able to do things we weren’t sure she ever would and that’s why we still support the hospital charity and enter the run every year. It’s a thank you for all the care she’s had, and continues to receive, from the JR and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.

"It’s such a fun event and we hope to bring that fun again to a virtual version. I’ve already had people contacting me saying they are keen to be involved. This will be my 10th year taking part, I wouldn’t miss it."

ALSO READ:‘I wouldn’t be here without Oxford Children's Hospital'

Allen Associates has sponsored the event since 2009 and are supporting the run once again.

Kate Allen, managing director, said: "We have been the lead sponsor of the OX5 Run for the last 12 years and are proud to be able to support this incredible event again in 2021.

"This past year has caused us all to reflect on what’s truly important and in many ways the OX5 Run embodies this, bringing people together to raise funds to ensure that seriously ill children and their families receive the best possible care and support.

"While the format for 2021’s run will be different, the ethos remains the same and we are delighted to be involved and to do our bit for our local community again."

To find out more or to enter the run, go to hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.