Other-of-three Joanna Buddin has signed up to raise hundreds of pounds for the Oxford Children's Hospital by taking part in the OX5 Run.

The run takes place at Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, on Sunday, April 6.

Last year, the run raised more than £50,000 for the hospital appeal, which has so far collected £13.8m towards a £15m target.

Mrs Buddin, 31, from Mulberry Close, Bicester, took part in the race last year and raised £400.

The hospital is close to her heart because her three-year-old daughter, Ashley May, underwent cranio-facial treatment two years ago to remove part of her skull.

She is now recovering and has visited the £30m Children's Hospital, part of the West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, on a number of occasions for check-ups.

Mrs Buddin said: "Ashley May had a major operation at the Radcliffe Infirmary in 2005 but has been back to the Children's Hospital since then for check-ups and she is progressing well.

"I think the hospital is absolutely amazing - families in Oxford really need this kind of facility.

"I ran in the OX5 Run for the first time last year, because I thought it was such a good cause.

"I raised £400 and I'm hoping to raise a similar amount this year. I can't remember what time I did, but I really enjoyed it."

In October 2005, Mrs Buddin's husband, Adam, a training instructor at Campsfield House detention centre in Kidlington, died in a car crash on the B430 near Weston-on-the-Green.

Mrs Buddin was pregnant with their third child, Jaycob, at the time and he is now two years old. Kayleigh, Mrs Buddin's other daughter, is five.

Two fun days in Adam's memory have raised about £1,800 for the Children's Hospital.

Teams from local businesses are also competing to become the fastest team in the charity race.

Last year, staff from the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times took the trophy and have challenged the corporate teams to try to win the cup, which they can then keep for a year.

Staff from Botley-based finance firm Grant Thornton, who won the OX5 Cup in 2006, have come forward to say they are keen to recapture the trophy, which is awarded to the team with the lowest aggregate time for its top five finishers.

Pop star and actor Jason Donovan, who lives in Oxfordshire, will start the race for the second year running.

Last year, about 800 people took part in the five-mile run around the palace grounds. Entry is £10 per person and each runner is encouraged to raise at least £100 in sponsorship money, but this is not compulsory.

All money raised goes to the Children's Hospital, which has just celebrated its first birthday.

Hospital spokesman Claire Hooper said: "We're delighted that Joanna has come forward to take part for the second year running and we hope lots of other runners will also sign up."