Youngsters who are indebted to a charity which helped them rebuild their lives found their way to show their gratitude at a fun run in Oxford.

Scores of families flocked to the Run for the Children event, held at Oxsrad, in Marsh Lane, Marston, on Sunday to take part in a 3km run to raise cash for the Children's Trust.

The trust cares for children who have either been in an accident or had a sudden illness and suffered brain damage.

Among those taking part were the Wilson siblings - Jessica, 18, Jacob, 15, and Joel, 13 - from Combe.

In 2003, Joel, then eight, was hit by a car and suffered a serious head injury, a broken leg and a broken jaw. Five years on, he has made a good recovery, but his mother Colleen said the family owed a lot to the Children's Trust centre, which is in Tadworth, so they were only too happy to take part.

She said: "We very nearly lost Joel, it was a difficult time for us all.

"We now take one day at a time, but we are ever so grateful for the work the centre does and we want to do all we can to help them by taking part in fundraisers like this.

"Jacob went on to win today's race, so that was a great end to a worthwhile day."

The family has already raised more than £300, but still have sponsorship to collect. This was the first time the Children's Trust has held an event in Oxford, although last year a similar event took place at Eynsham Hall, Witney.

Jennifer Durlston-Powell, spokesman for Run for the Children, said: "Our events are slightly different from the norm in that they are all about families - children in particular - running together.

"This run will raise funds for a new rehabilitation centre which will help children who have received brain injuries.

"The centre will allow children to receive specialised round-the-clock care, helping them get back on their feet and home with their families."

More than 27,500 people have taken part in a Run for the Children sprint since they were launched in 2003.

Ms Durlston-Powell added: "The number of runs we are staging is doubling every year and people find that once they get all the family involved it encourages them all to lead a more healthy lifestyle.

"We have big hopes for the future and are aiming to have a million people involved in fun runs in towns and cities across the UK by 2012."