AIRCREW from RAF Brize Norton’s 10 Squadron spend a lot of time keeping fit.

But they are now putting in extra training to make sure they are ready for this year’s OX5 Run in aid of Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Senior Aircraftwoman Charlotte Weldon, 24, who lives at the base near Carterton, said: “Originally we had a team of 12 people taking part but now some of them have got to work instead.

“But I will definitely be running the race with Senior Aircraftwoman Amee Stewart, 24, Senior Aircraftwoman Vicky Holden, 25, and Corporal Alex Tsirtsikos, who is 26.

“We’re all quite fit, because we’re in the RAF, but we have been going on some training runs around the base.

“There’s some quite nice countryside around here, with little country lanes and different routes around the perimeter of the airfield.

“We’re also doing some work in the gym to make sure we’re properly prepared for the race.

“My biggest distance in the past is about eight miles, but Vicky is very fit and has run half-marathons in the past.

“I don’t have any children myself but we have got friends whose children have been treated there and they have told us that it’s a fantastic facility.

“Senior Aircraftwoman Emma Batt, who is on the squadron’s charities committee, was invited by the hospital to have a look around the wards and meet the staff and she was very impressed.”

The run, organised by the Oxford Mail and celebrating its 10th year, takes place at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, on Sunday, March 25.

More than 600 runners have signed up for the race and organisers have a target of 1,000 runners raising a total of £100,000.

Last year, the OX5 Run raised about £60,000 for the Children’s Hospital to buy equipment that the NHS does not automatically provide.

The race is sponsored by recruitment firm Allen Associates, radio station Jack FM, and stores at Marriotts Walk shopping centre, in Witney.

This year’s run is the 10th anniversary race and will be officially started by celebrity chef Raymond Blanc and Oxford United FC chairman Kelvin Thomas.

Children’s Hospital spokesman Sarah Vaccari said: “It’s wonderful to have so much support from across the community.

“We love to see teams of friends, family and colleagues taking part, it really adds to the atmosphere on the day and helps us raise more funds for the hospital.

“There’s still time to enter the run, so please do sign up. It doesn’t matter if you’re a group or running on your own, as you will be helping to make a real difference for our young patients.”

  • For more information and to register for the race, click on the link below.