MORE than 1,250 runners, joggers and walkers are preparing to make their way around Blenheim Palace tomorrow to support some of the county’s most poorly children.

The 16th OX5 Run in aid of Oxford Children’s Hospital looks set to break the £1m barrier for funds raised since the event began.

The hospital’s charity urged people to get out to support the fundraisers and donate to beat last year’s record-breaking £126,000 raised.

Two of the many inspirational children looked after at the hospital have been selected as the official starters of tomorrow’s race – six-year-old Anna Drysdale and eight-year-old Noah Castro.

After falling from the sofa last year Anna complained of a strange feeling in her arm, which after several tests turned out to be a tumour across her whole upper arm.

She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February and spent most of the year at Oxford Children’s Hospital, undergoing a course of chemotherapy.

In May she had a major operation which saw a bone in her leg reconstructed to give her a new upper arm and shoulder.

The six-year-old from Chipping Norton was given the all-clear in January and will be officially starting tomorrow’s run with the help of an air horn.

Her mum, Keeley Drysdale, said: “She’s super excited, she’s been counting down how many sleeps until the race for the past few weeks.

“The hospital charity asked her as we have been quite involved in promoting the event and fundraising and she’s really excited.

“Anna is doing really well, she’s got a few more immunotherapy sessions to go and still has a fracture in her new arm.

“But she’s gaining weight and growing hair every day.”

Team Anna will be easy to spot at Blenheim Palace tomorrow – with their 50-strong squad all wearing crazy wigs in solidarity with the six-year-old.

Mrs Drysdale, whose husband Ian and two other daughters Ellen and Sarah are also running, said the family was running to say thanks to hospital staff.

She said: “It’s the least we can do, it’s one small way of saying a huge thank you.

“We could never raise as much as we would like to – we are so grateful for everything they have done.

“The extra funds really do make a difference, they certainly did to us, and we want to make sure it is the same for other families in the future.”

The Chipping Norton youngster will be joined by eight-year-old Noah Castro, another official starter.

After being diagnosed with a type of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in October, Noah is now part way through a six-to-eight-month chemotherapy course.

His school, Queen Emma’s Primary School in Witney, his former pre-school Little Oaks, friends and family have rallied round to enter tomorrow’s run.

Events manager at Oxford Hospitals Charity, Gail Williams, said: “We hope lots of people will be supporting our runners, cheering them on and sponsoring them so we can smash last year’s record breaking amount raised.

“Ever penny raised through sponsorship will go to fund projects and equipment at the children’s hospital, to make life that little bit easier for our young patients and their families.”

With more than 1,250 runners, walkers and joggers signed up, an incredible £95,000 has already been pledged this year even before the race weekend.

She added: “It has been a privilege to work on an event which has been in the hearts and minds of patients, staff and supporters of Oxford Children’s Hospital for many years.

“For the past few months we have been reminded daily of the enormous good will for the OX5 Run and cannot wait to join the 1,250-plus runners tomorrow and hopefully raise a record amount.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Oxford Mail, Allen Associates, all the volunteers and of course the runners."