Oxford United fans could give a £10,000 boost to the city’s children’s hospital by taking part in this year’s OX5 Run.

Fundraisers are hoping the 10th anniversary race around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, will raise an estimated £100,000 for the hospital at the John Radcliffe site in Headington.

Organisers are expecting at least 1,000 runners to complete the five-mile course on Sunday, March 25, and the numbers will be swelled by Oxford United fans wearing their yellow home strips.

The U’s are getting behind the race and urging as many fans as possible to sign up. If 100 fans raise £100 each, that could raise £10,000.

Chairman Kelvin Thomas and manager Chris Wilder will be starting the race and want to see at least 100 people running in the club’s yellow home shirts.

Mr Thomas said: “As a club, we fully appreciate the great work that the Oxford Children’s Hospital does and we are fully behind the OX5 Run.

“It is a chance for everyone to show their support and if we can get our fans to come and join us then it should be a memorable day out as well.”

U’s players will be there to meet fans and club staff will also pull on their trainers to complete the course.

The first 100 fans who join the Oxford United team will get a unique U’s t-shirt and will set off together as the yellow army.

The U’s have been loyal supporters of the children’s hospital, with players making visits to the wards to meet young fans. Players visit the hospital in the run-up to Christmas and have even turned up at the request of parents.

In January last year, Keeley Gomersall, 10, from Sonning Common, who was born with a bone deformity, got a visit from five of Oxford United’s top stars, including Jake Wright, after dad Ian Gomersall contacted the club to see if they could do anything to cheer up his daughter after a six-hour operation.

Children’s hospital spokesman Penny Hambridge said: “It’s great to have Oxford United supporting the OX5 Run in this way and we look forward to seeing fans in their yellow kits.

“The team have been loyal supporters of the hospital over the years with players making regular visits to see children on the wards.”

The Oxford Mail organises the race, and promotions manager Jo Coady said: “It’s great to hear that Oxford United is encouraging fans to take part in the race and we look forward to seeing at least 100 runners in their yellow shirts on the day.

“We want as many U’s fans as possible to take part because that will really boost the amount of money raised.”

To find out more, visit ox5run.co.uk