FORMER Army officer Nicola Brazier is urging people to sign up for her “boot camps” to get in shape for this year’s Oxford Mail OX5 Run.

Ms Brazier, 28, spent nine years serving all over the world with the Royal Military Police – and had to stay fit as part of her job.

When she left the Army three years ago, she set up her own personal training company, Body4mer, which runs fitness sessions twice a week at the Leys cricket pitch, near Station Lane, Witney.

Ms Brazier has asked those taking part in circuit training to enter the five-mile run around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, which raises money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Ms Brazier, from Madley Park, Witney, said: “I will be bringing a team of 10 runners on the day and there will be another 10 friends and family coming along.

“A couple of weeks ago, I ran the actual course at Blenheim and completed it in about 36 minutes, which isn’t necessarily my best effort.

“But I’m not too bothered about the time I complete the run in on the day – my main reason for doing this is to encourage the people who come to my training sessions to have a target to aim for.”

This year’s race, sponsored by recruitment firm Allen Associates and Motorworld, is being held on Sunday, April 19.

The run is now in its seventh year and previous races have raised about £50,000 each for the children’s hospital campaign.

It has so far raised £14m for the hospital, which opened as part of the £135m West Wing, at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, in January 2007.

This year, any money raised will go towards new equipment on the wards.

Singer Jason Donovan started the race in 2007.

Over the years the children’s hospital has been backed by numerous local celebrities including Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson, who lives at Waterperry, and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, from Wheatley.

Graham Brogden, head of community fundraising for Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Body4mer team to the OX5 Run for the first time.

“Nicola’s enthusiasm and positivity inspires so many people to get fit and she is certainly spurring me on with my own training for the run.

“I hope she will encourage other teams to take up the challenge and take part.”

Entry for the OX5 Run is £10 per person with each runner asked to raise at least £100 in sponsorship.

If you would like to enter the run call 01865 743445, fill in the form (right) or download an entry form from oxfordmail.co.uk/ox5run affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk