Co-op staff are giving so much support to Oxford's Children's Hospital Campaign that they will run an estimated 400 miles by taking part in the Ox5Run.

Steve Moralee and Michelle Fitzgerald are among those Co-op employees taking part in the OX5 Run

About 80 workers from the Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-operative Society's supermarkets, travel agents and head office in Botley Road, Oxford, have agreed to join the five-mile run in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, this Sunday, in a bid to raise thousands of pounds towards the appeal.

Oxford Swindon and Gloucester Co-op spokesman Adrian Barradell said: "We've pledged to raise £150,000 for the campaign in the next five years.

"We know that will pay for and build the public waiting room outside the consulting rooms at the new hospital, which will be decorated in a child-friendly way.

"Last year, we took part in the fun run and raised £2,568, and we should definitely be able to improve on that this year!"

It is the second year the Oxford Mail and its sister paper The Oxford Times have organised the Ox5Run, which weaves through the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock. This year, the Duke of Marlborough, who owns the 2,000-acre Blenheim estate, has agreed to start the race at 10.30am.

Oxford Bus Company is running a courtesy bus from Oxford's Pear Tree park-and-ride.

Runners who would like to take part can register on the day for £10.

Last year, 700 runners took part, raising more than £15,000 through entry fees and sponsorship money.

More than £7m has already been raised for the £15m campaign - supported by the Oxford Mail - to build a children's hospital at the John Radcliffe site in Headington. The 106-bed hospital is due to be completed by December next year.