TINY Jessica Green stopped her parents in their tracks when she ended up in hospital, inspiring them to pull on their running shoes to help other sick children.

Sam Quarterman, 25, and Carl Green, 23, will take part in the OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, in March, to raise money for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Baby Jessica, who lives with her family in Kestrel Crescent, Blackbird Leys, picked up a cold from one of her older brothers, Miles, five, and Jack, three, two months ago.

Ms Quarterman said: “Because she was so little, only two months old at the time, she quickly deteriorated and developed bronchialitis. It was very frightening to find ourselves in the hospital, surrounded by doctors, with Jessica being given oxygen.

“Her lungs had become clogged and she was having trouble breathing. For the first day she was in the hospital’s high dependency ward, where I stayed with her.”

Jessica was placed on a dehumidifying machine to help her lungs recover.

Ms Quarterman said: “Carl and I took it in turns staying with her, while the other looked after our boys.

“She was in hospital for nine days and it was very frightening. But we were so grateful for the doctors’ and nurses’ help and so relieved when we could take her home.”

She said: “At the time I didn’t have any money to give, but I knew I wanted to do something to say thank you. I haven’t run since school, but I’m excited about it.

“I really feel like I’m giving something back to the hospital and we’re determined to raise as much money as possible through sponsorship from our friends and family.”

The five-mile event on Sunday, March 20, will raise money for equipment like the machine that helped Jessica.

Sarah Vaccari, of the OX5 Run fundraising team, said: “We’re thrilled that they have decided to enter, as this event is there to help children like Jessica.”

Last April, more than 850 runners completed the run to raise £57,000.

The Children’s Hospital treats conditions including heart disease, chest problems, childhood cancer and neurological disorders. Accommodation is available for parents to stay overnight.

Oxford recruitment firm Allen Associates will sponsor the event for the third year in a row.

To get involved, fill in and the entry form linked to this page, call 01865 743428 or see orhcharitablefunds.nhs.uk.

The Oxford Mail would like to tell the stories of more people taking part in this year’s event. Email Debbie Waite via the address below or call her on 07863 328300.