A TEAM of workers from Oxford’s Mini plant are getting revved up to run the Oxford Half Marathon.

The Mini in Motion team will be raising money for the event’s charity Helen & Douglas House , celebrating its 30th year in 2012.

But the team will also be helping BMW’s chosen charity, the Children’s Trust, and one employee has an extra special reason to run for that cause.

Cindy Hametner, 46, from Didcot, was living in Germany when her daughter Jessica Christin, then aged five, was diagnosed with an eye tumour.

Canadian born Mrs Hametner said: “One of the main reasons I am running is my daughter.

“This condition is very rare. I was a bit scared because we never knew how it would turn out.

“We were supported by a charity ourselves, and it really helped us so we understand why it is so important.”

Jessica, who was left blind in one eye, is now 22 and at university in British Columbia, Canada.

Her mother added: “Jessica is a very positive. She is a fighter and achieves her goals.”

Ms Hametner used to work at a BMW plant in Dingolfing, Germany, before transferring to Cowley.

The Oxford Mini plant, along with the Oxford Mail, is supporting the Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday, October 14.

Mini spokeswoman Rebecca Baxter said: “We are delighted so many of our employees like Cindy have signed up.

“This year’s route goes right through the Mini plant, and we are very proud to be taking part in the event.”

Last year, the Oxford Half Marathon attracted 2,000 runners who raised more than £20,000 for Helen & Douglas House, the children and young adults hospice and respite care centre in East Oxford.

This year’s event will take a new and improved route, beginning at the Kassam stadium in Littlemore and through the Oxford Mini plant before passing the university sports centre in Iffley Road.

The Oxford Mail will publish a limited edition, full-colour pull-out supplement on the Half Marathon on Tuesday, October 16.

Anyone who signs up to run or volunteer can get this supplement delivered directly.

  • To take part in the run or to volunteer as a marshall along the route, visit the website oxfordhalfmarathon.com