PERSONAL trainer Dave Brogan suffered every parent’s nightmare when his toddler son drank a bottle of medicine.

Mr Brogan, 32, took Oliver, now five, straight to the Oxford Children’s Hospital, in Headington, and staff carried out tests to make sure he was unharmed.

The fitness coach, who plays loosehead prop for Gosford All Blacks rugby club, is now planning to thank nursing staff by getting a team of runners together for this year’s OX5 Run, which raises money for the specialist hospital, on the John Radcliffe Hospital campus.

He is also providing a series of training tips for runners who are preparing for the five-mile race around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock on Sunday, April 18. Singer Jason Donovan will start the runners off.

Mr Brogan, a father-of-three who works at the Vida gym at London Oxford Airport, Kidlington, said: “Oliver has been to the children’s hospital twice, and each time the staff have been fantastic, so I want to take part in the OX5 Run to raise as much money as possible for toys and new equipment.

“On the first occasion, Oliver split his lip at school and needed a small operation, and my partner Karen was able to sleep in a bed next to him on the ward.

“The second time, he climbed up and grabbed a bottle of Calpol and drank it all.

“We thought the bottle had been quite full so we took him straight to the children’s hospital to make sure he was okay. Thankfully he was fine.

“Both incidents happened quite soon after the hospital opened in 2007 and on each occasion we were very impressed.”

Last month, Mr Brogan, from Tackley, near Kidlington, organised a 24-hour rowing marathon at the gym to raise an estimated £2,500 for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

He added: “Running is not my speciality, so I am not going to set a target when it comes to completing the race in a certain time.

“But I have already got some clients at the gym and some members of staff to join me, and I will try to get as many people to enter the race as possible.”

Children’s hospital spokesman Penny Hambridge said: “The OX5 Run is a great way to get fit, and

  • Dave Brogan has come up with some tips to help runners get ready for the event.

“The run is through beautiful Blenheim Palace park and although it is an undulating course, it is suitable for all standards of runners.

“We want as many people as possible to enter for a fun time and to support this wonderful cause.”

“The first thing anyone should do if they are training for the OX5 Run is to get the right pair of trainers.

“Runners should look for trainers that are going to support their arches and if they are going to do a lot of training they might need training shoes that are a size larger than they normally wear, in case their feet swell.

“There are a number of specialist running shops in Oxford where staff can advise you on the right trainer. You are probably looking to spend between £50-£100.”

More tips will follow in coming weeks.

  • To enter, download a form using the link below or call 01865 743444.