ONE of Oxfordshire's biggest independent recruitment agencies is now celebrating its 12th anniversary as the official sponsors of the annual Oxford Mail OX5 charity challenge.
The staff from the Oxford-based Allen Associates 'cannot imagine' not supporting the fun run normally held at Blenheim Palace for another year despite the strict restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 crisis and the third national lockdown.
With a little more than four weeks to go to the long-anticipated charity event, Kate and Rob Allen are already sweating away at the treadmill to make sure they are prepared for the five-mile run.
Ms Allen, who is managing director at the firm, said: "The OX5 run means so much to us as a business on so many different levels.
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"It brings people from across Oxfordshire together for a fun and memorable day out while raising much-needed funds for a fantastic cause close to the hearts of so many.
"It is an event that our clients, candidates, recruitment consultants and contacts get involved in every year.
"Through our sponsorship, we feel that we are able to give back to the very many people that have been involved with our business over the years and who have been touched by Oxford Children's Hospital in some way.
"While everyone will have to comply with lockdown rules or whatever restrictions are in place at the time of the event, we are confident that we can retain a team ethos by supporting each other in our training and swapping stories."
Mr and Ms Allen have been keeping fit as part of their lockdown fitness drive.
Kate and Rob Allen of Allen Associates training for the OX5 Picture: Allen Associates
The hard work is set to pay off as they have both signed up to the run, along with associate director Eleanor Bromage and six of their recruitment consultants who, together with family members and friends, who are all planning to taking part.
Mr Allen, who is the agency's finance director, commented: "The pandemic has made it extraordinarily difficult to run fundraising events on any scale and the OX5 run is no exception.
"It was very sad to see it cancelled last year but we are delighted that it will go ahead this year, albeit in a different format with runners and walkers completing a five mile circuit of their choosing from their own front doors.
"This is Oxford Children's Hospital's biggest fundraising event and with everything the NHS has been through in the last 12 months,, they need the community's support.
"We feel very privileged to be able to help."
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Oxford Children's Hospital confirmed that the event will take place remotely on Sunday, March 28, as the current lockdown restrictions do not allow it to be held at Blenheim Palace.
It will be launched online with a celebrity-led warm-up that everyone will be encouraged to take part in before setting off on their own five-mile run, walk or toddle in aid of the charity.
To find out more and to register to take part, please visit: https://www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run
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