RUNNERS can now sign up to take part in the five-mile annual fun run around the historic grounds of Blenheim Palace to raise cash for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
After going virtual for the last two years due to the pandemic, the Ox5 Run will be back to Blenheim Palace with its 20th instalment in March 2022.
Children from Woodstock CE Primary joined Gemma Cole from Oxford Hospitals Charity and Kate and Rob Allen, from Allen Associates - the event sponsors - to launch the 2022 run.
Ms Cole said: “We are so excited to announce the return of our very special fun run in support of the Oxford Children’s Hospital and to welcome back our sponsors, local recruitment agency Allen Associates, for the 13th year running.”
Read more: Virtual OX5 Run raises £100,000 for Oxford Children's Hospital
In 2019 over a thousand runners participated in Blenheim raising close to £150k, for the 2022 run, they hope to raise £150k or more.
She added: “For the past two years we’ve had to go virtual, so we are really excited to return to the event’s very special home at Blenheim Palace.”
The fun run has taken place every year since 2002, raising more than £1million since it started to provide extra support for local children in hospital.
Oxfordshire recruitment agency, Allen Associates has sponsored the run for over 13 years.
Kate Allen, managing director, said: "We are delighted to be back on board to sponsor and take part in the OX5 RUN 2022. It raises funds for a great local cause which has touched the lives of members of our own team as well as many of the businesses and job seekers that we work with.
“We hope that as many people as possible will get involved and enter, making this special 20th anniversary event the biggest and best one yet."
This year pupils from Woodstock CE Primary helped to promote the launch of the 2022 fun run, a cause close to Christian McGuiness’s heart, head teacher.
Mr McGuiness’s said: “We’re incredibly proud to be involved in launching this local fundraiser. The Oxford Children’s Hospital is a very special place indeed, which many of our pupils and parents have had direct contact with.
“It’s just a fun and positive way to give something back to the hospitals and seeing where the money goes each year gives us a real boost.
To find out more or to enter the run, go to www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run
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