SIGN up for the OX5 Run on Facebook and you can raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital – and make lots of friends.

That’s the message from fundraisers at the hospital, who have created a page on the social networking website.

They are using Facebook to encourage more people to take part in the five-mile run around the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock on April 18.

This year, organisers are hoping to attract more than 1,000 runners, who are expected to raise an estimated £65,000 for new toys and equipment for the hospital – part of the John Radcliffe in Headington.

Last year, more than 800 runners raised £57,000.

Runner Dale Harris, 28, of Normandy Crescent, Cowley, Oxford, is among those planning to register for the race via Facebook.

His daughter Mya, seven, has spina bifida and is a frequent visitor to the children’s hospital.

The father-of-two, who works at the Elmer Cotton sports shop in Turl Street, Oxford, said: “It is a great idea for the children’s hospital to set up a page for the OX5 Run, and that’s how I will be registering this year.

“Mya still needs to use a wheelchair to go long distances and we have had to make several trips to the hospital in recent months for various medical procedures.

“The hospital is such a nice friendly environment for children and the staff are fantastic.

Penny Hambridge, a spokesman for the children’s hospital, said: “Facebook is a very popular networking site so it could be a very good way of boosting the number of runners this year. So far, 122 people have joined the group.”

The Oxford Mail-backed OX5 Run which launched in 2002, is again being sponsored by recruitment consultants Allen Associates.

The £30m children’s hospital opened at the beginning of 2007 as part of the John Radcliffe’s £135m new West Wing.