WHEN Isla Brotherhood needed an operation just 24 hours after she was born, her parents feared she might not survive.

Staff at the Horton Hospital in Banbury told Fiona Brotherhood and her husband Nicol that Isla needed an operation on her bowel, which was carried out at Oxford Children’s Hospital.

The baby girl suffered a rare condition called necrotizing enterocolitis and spent the next six weeks at the children’s hospital.

She underwent a second operation five months later, but Isla, who is now nearly two, has since made a full recovery.

Mrs and Mrs Brotherhood, who live in Banbury with Isla and their two other children, Callum, five, and Hannah, three, are taking part in this year’s Oxford Mail OX5 Run to say thank you to hospital staff who cared for Isla.

The five-mile run around the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock will take place on Sunday.

Mrs Brotherhood, 36, who works part-time at the Spiceball Park leisure centre in Banbury, said: “The consultant paediatrician at the Horton identified the problem and liaised with staff in Oxford where Isla had the operation. When I heard she needed an operation so soon after she was born I thought we had lost her, but the care she received afterwards in every department was superb — I was very impressed.

“After the second operation, I slept in a bed alongside Isla’s cot — it was like having a private room. The play specialists at the children’s hospital also did a great job entertaining my other two children when we were waiting for Isla’s appointments.

“Isla no longer has any digestive problems and it’s amazing to think that she will be able to lead a normal life.”

Mrs Brotherhood, whose husband is a safety engineer for Aston Martin, added: “I feel they saved Isla’s life and I want to be able to say thank you and give something back.”

Witney MP David Cameron is starting the race as well as competing, and organisers hope up to 1,000 people take part in the event, which in previous years has raised £50,000 for the Headington hospital.

Sarah Vaccari, a spokesman for the children’s hospital, said: “It is tremendous to see that parents never forget the care their children have received, and we are delighted that two years after her operation, Isla’s parents are joining the OX5 Run to raise funds for the children’s hospital.”

This year’s race is being sponsored by Allen Associates and Motorworld.

Entry for the run is £10 per person. You can also turn up on the day at 9.30am and pay £12.50 to join the race.

Fill in the registration form on this page, call 01865 74345 or download the form from oxfordmail.co.uk/ox5run affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk