A NURSE at Helen & Douglas House is going that extra mile by taking part in the charity’s second Oxford Rainbow Run.

Shirley Jones cares for and supports children and families in the home and she is putting on her trainers to lead team Evolve Runners 2015 to raise money to keep the vital service going.

The charity for terminally ill youngsters has enjoyed a great response for the event in Cutteslowe Park on Sunday, May 24, but is encouraging more people to get teams together.

Ms Jones, from Bicester, said: “As an outreach nurse I care for and support children and their families in the home, helping with specialist advice on managing their child’s symptoms and pain from first diagnosis to end-of-life care.

“Evolve Runners 2015 want to increase the profile of the charity and raise as much money as we can so the charity can continue to provide the medical, emotional and practical support so important for the families using the hospice service.”

She continued: “I also see families at Helen House where parents can get a much-needed rest in one of the family flats and their children have their medical needs met while playing, singing, swimming and mainly having fun.”

The event is a 3km course where the runners start in white and finish covered in all colours of the rainbow. Ms Jones, 35, said: “I run with a group of crazy marathon and ultra-marathon runners but the great thing about this event is that it is for everyone. For many of my serious running friends, their families are always part of the support team and can never run with them, but the Rainbow Run means Evolve Runners 2015 can include children and those who have never run before.”

Preparations are also under way at the hospice, based in Magdalen Road, Oxford, for the Rainbow Art project.

Children have made rainbow tissue paper windows, rainbow splattered chairs and T-shirts and staff have organised special rainbow-themed activities with individual children, such as the rainbow made by six-year-old Ellie Wood, from Newbury.

Poppy Hanbury, senior community and activities fundraiser, said: “We have had a great response from people getting teams together especially for the event because this unique 3km fun run, where you get showered with paint from head to toe, is a distance that everyone can run.”

The Oxford Rainbow Run begins at 11am and places cost £12 for children aged 13 and under and £17.50 for anyone 14 and over.

Visit hdh.org.uk for more information.