WHEN Phil Rose was told his two-year-old daughter Maizie had cancer he couldn't see a future for the family.

But Maizie Rose turned seven yesterday and this year's OX5 Run would mark five years since her diagnosis - making it unlikely her rare childhood cancer will return.

The 40-year-old from Abingdon, who runs the Blenheim Palace five-mile race every year, said this year's run would mean even more to the family.

He said: "They always told us that if it didn't come back after five years from her diagnosis, then the chances of it ever coming back were very low.

"Three days before this year's run Maizie will have her final six month check up before it reaches five years so the run will mean even more to us this time.

"Provided she gets the all clear but there's nothing to suggest it will come back."

In May 2013 Maizie was taken to hospital and diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects cells in the chest and stomach.

Mr Rose, his wife Emily and older daughter Morgan, spent long periods on Kamran's Ward at Oxford Children's Hospital.

The taxi driver, has raised thousands of pounds for the hospital through running the OX5 and other events over the years to give something back.

He said: "When you are first told your child has cancer, you can't see a future - it's very hard to look to the future.

"But Maizie turned seven yesterday and she's doing fantastic, she's thriving at school and her health really good.

"It's not just the treatment that helps her beat cancer - it's everything, it's the play specialists who keep her occupied so we can grab a shower, it's the toys and games that keep her comfortable.

"We are so lucky to have such a great hospital on our doorstep."

When Maizie had her gall bladder removed in November 2016, the family discovered the £35,000 machine used for the operation had been paid for from funds raised through the OX5.

Inspired by the first-hand experience of how the money was used, Maizie's sister Morgan, 15, became the first under-16 runner to complete the race last year after a rule change.

She has signed up again this year and Team Maizie could be bigger than ever on the start line at Blenheim on March 25.

Mr Rose said: "When I try to get people to sign up I tell my friends, who have children, that they will at some point come into contact with the hospital - even if it's with a broken arm - and the money is important for the care provided.

"I'm hoping for the largest ever Team Maizie this year and want as many people as possible to sign up - it's only five miles and it's just about completing it - even if you walk.

Sign up by going to ox5run.co.uk and click ‘register here’ to fill in the entry form - it costs £17.50 which goes to the charity.