OXFORD mum-of-two Adele Fowler, whose young son has cystic fibrosis, is taking time out to take part in this year’s OX5 Run.

Miss Fowler and her partner have frequently had to take son Caspar, two, to the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Cystic fibrosis causes the body to produce thick secretions that particularly affect the lungs and digestive tract.

Miss Fowler is training for the OX5 Run which is being held on Sunday, April 18, in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock.

Miss Fowler, 32, who also lives with partner Terry, 34, and daughter Amelie, five, said she hoped to raise at least £100 to help buy new toys and equipment for the children’s hospital.

This year organisers are hoping that more than 1,000 runners will take part in the five-mile race, raising an estimated £65,000.

Miss Fowler, who works part-time in IT support for Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Caspar is two-and-a-half now and has been going to the children’s hospital since he was born.

“If Caspar has a chest infection, a nebuliser is used so that he can get antibiotics to eradicate the infection.

“I’m looking forward to taking part in the OX5 Run because I have never run the race before and I want to do something positive for the staff.

“Cathy McKenny, the cystic fibrosis specialist at the hospital, is a Godsend and is always incredibly supportive, as well as the specialist paediatricians in respiratory medicine.

“We are lucky that so far Caspar has not had to stay at the hospital overnight, but we realise that could be necessary at some point.

“I’m doing several different charity runs this year, and I might try to build up to a half-marathon.”

Sarah Vaccari, a spokesman for the children’s hospital, said: “The support of parents like Adele, who take time from their busy lives to run in support of the children’s hospital, is so important to us. Every day the lives of our young patients are made that little bit easier by the additional equipment, better facilities and wonderful environment that is made possible by charitable support.

“With just six weeks to go before the run we would urge people to get their entry forms in now, so that they can start getting sponsorship.”

About 200 people have signed up for the run so far and singer Jason Donovan, who has a home in Oxfordshire, will start the race.

The children’s hospital, on the John Radcliffe Hospital site in Headington, opened in 2007 and more than 60,000 patients are treated there each year.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk