Thank you 55,000 times for OX5 Run cash (From Oxford Mail)

Thank you 55,000 times for OX5 Run cash

6:30am Friday 10th July 2009 in

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RUNNERS raised a record amount of money for Oxford Children’s Hospital at this year’s OX5 Run.

About 700 people completed the five mile race – the seventh to be held – around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, in April.

The fundraising target for the race in April was £50,000, but hospital managers say fundraisers have been so generous the total has hit £55,000. The previous record was £50,000.

Children’s development officer Penny Hambridge said: “Such generosity will mean we can buy some truly state-of-the art-equipment for the hospital – like neurology equipment costing £20,000 — going far beyond the standard NHS equipment.

“In recent months, donations have funded hi-tech incubators for very young and premature babie,s as well as multi-media equipment for long-term teenage patients, so this money will make a very real difference.”

Staff are also raising funds to buy a £175,000 MRI-compatible incubator for very young and premature babies.

The children’s hospital, on the John Radcliffe Hospital site in Headington, opened in 2007, following a community fundraising campaign which raised £14m towards the overall £30m cost.

More than 65,000 young patients a year receive treatment there.

Guy Slocombe, 41, of Berrick Salome, near Wallingford, whose son Barnaby, five, was treated at the hospital this week for a fractured skull, said: “We were delighted with the professionalism of the staff and the care and attention that Barnaby received.”

Hospital head of community fundraising Graham Brogden said: “To see such generosity towards the children’s hospital —especially in these difficult financial times — is inspirational.

“The generosity of participants, sponsors and businesses is amazing and means that this year’s run is the most successful to date. We are incredibly grateful to everyone that took part and raised so much sponsorship, the Oxford Mail for their continued support and event sponsors Motorworld and Allen Associates.”

Sarah Vaccari, communications manager for charitable funds, said her two-year-old daughter Rosa, recently had heart surgery at the hospital.

She said: “The care and professionalism throughout was second to none, and the impact that fundraising and public support has had was very evident.

“The bed which I slept in, next to my daughter’s hospital cot, and the toys she played with while recovering, were all paid for through donations.