LESS than a month ago two-year-old Jack Fletcher showed incredible bravery when he had an operation to reshape his skull.

Now his mum Kathyrn Harris, from Kidlington, has signed up to the Oxford Mail’s OX5 Run to say thank you to Oxford Children’s Hospital for the care he received.

The toddler has craniosynostosis, a premature fusion of the skull, which can cause an abnormal head shape, eye problems and in some cases learning difficulties.

He had surgery on his skull last month and is now on the mend after spending a week in the Headington hospital.

Miss Harris, who stayed at the hospital with her partner and Jack’s dad Neil Fletcher, said: “It went really well, they are just amazing up at the hospital.

“We were able to stay there and had a room at Ronald McDonald house so we could be with Jack all the time.

“As part of the operation his eyes swelled up after and he couldn’t see so he needed one of us with him constantly.”

The New Marston Primary School teacher added: “There are only four hospitals in the country capable of carrying out the surgery and one of them is here in Oxford.

“We are lucky to have the facilities and care that we do so close by.”

Mrs Harris said that following the operation there was a good chance of Jack leading a relatively normal life.

The family will return to the hospital every few months for the foreseeable future and could require check-ups until he is 18. His mum said frequent visits would be anything but a problem for Jack and his four-year-old brother Harry, who can’t get enough of the place.

She said: “Neil and I have talked about running the OX5 for a while but we have signed up and want to do whatever we can to show our gratitude and say thank you.”

Spokeswoman for Oxford Children’s Hospital Sarah Vaccari said: “It’s great to hear that Kathryn is taking part in this year’s OX5 Run to thank the hospital for the care that Jack received.

This run makes such a difference to our young patients, allowing us to buy additional medical equipment and provide more child friendly facilities. We hope others will be inspired to join us on Sunday, April 17.”

The OX5 is being sponsored by recruitment firm Allen Associates for the eighth year and more than 450 people have now signed up.

Last year’s event raised £106,000 for Oxford Children’s Hospital and the run, which is now in its 14th year, has chalked up more than £850,000.

The money raised is used to fund medical equipment and other aspects of children’s care.

* You can sign up online by going to hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run