Fundraisers taking part in this year’s OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace have raised a total of £72,000 for Oxford Children’s Hospital.
The OX5 Run always takes place at the Woodstock stately home and is a key fundraiser for the children’s hospital at the John Radcliffe Hospital site in Headington.
This year the event marked the 20th year of this special fun run, and it was the first time back at the palace since 2019.
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More than 600 runners took part in the five-mile run in March.
Fundraisers staged their own events in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Many taking part this year were families who have first-hand experience of the hospital, and the run was also boosted by hospital staff from across the NHS trust taking part.
Gail Williams, of Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “This year’s OX5 Run was simply incredible, a real success, despite the challenges we’ve all faced over the last few years.
“From supporters taking part in fancy dress, families running with their children, we saw first-hand what people were willing to do to help local children in hospital.
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“Now the final count of fundraising is in, all of the charity team are in awe of how the local community managed to raise so much money to make a difference for our young patients.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone helped us raise this incredible sum and of course to our event sponsors, Allen Associates, and also JACK FM Oxfordshire and Blenheim Palace for their incredible support.
“We can’t wait to see you again in 2023.”
Kate Allen, managing director of Oxfordshire recruitment agency Allen Associates, added: ‘“We are incredibly proud to have sponsored and taken part in the OX5 Run for the 13th year running.
“We never cease to be amazed by the sum of money that it raises to help thousands of young patients treated at the Oxford Children’s Hospital.
“The OX5 Run has become an integral part of Oxfordshire life and a key event on the Allen Associates’ social calendar.
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“It really is a great way to unite families, friends and colleagues and work together to give back to our local children’s hospital in support of all that they do.’
The Oxford Hospitals Charity team has now started planning their 2023 OX5 Run event - which will mark the 21st anniversary for this local event.
If you are aged 10 and over you can take part.
Runners and teams of all abilities who can run, jog or walk the course are encouraged to give it a go.
For more information about Oxford Hospitals Charity visit the website hospitalcharity.co.uk.
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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