Staff at a car rental firm in Oxford are getting in shape for a run around Blenheim Palace to raise funds for the city's children's hospital.

Steve Wren, the Oxford branch manager of Enterprise Rent-a-Car, based in Botley, visited the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington earlier this week to present a £1,000 cheque to play specialists in the Becky McGlone playroom on Tom's Ward.

Mr Wren, 26, and his colleague Adam Wickson, 29, are now getting staff together for a team to take part in the OX5 Run around the grounds of the palace in Woodstock on Sunday, April 6.

Mr Wickson said: "It was great to visit the Children's Hospital and we want to do as much as we can to raise funds for them, so we will try to put a good team together for the race.

"I think we're going to play a few games of five-a-side football to get in shape."

The £1,000 came from the Enterprise Foundation, the car rental firm's charitable trust, which Mr Wren asked to support the McGlone family's fundraising for the Children's Hospital.

The McGlones have pledged to raise £50,000 for the hospital in memory of Becky, 23, a nursery nurse from Bicester, who was murdered in 2005.

Mr Wren said: "I've known the family for a long time and am very good friends with Becky's brother, Richard.

"It was nice to be able to help a friend and support a good, local cause."

Enterprise also supported Becky's Ball, held in October at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium and filled two tables at the successful black tie fundraising event.

Mr Wickson, area manager for Enterprise, added: "We're keen to build links with the community and contribute whatever we can."

Penny Hambridge, children's development officer at the hospital, said: "We're delighted to receive this donation from Enterprise Rent-a-Car in support of Richard McGlone's fundraising.

"It was great that Steve and Adam could come and see Becky's playroom for themselves and it was a pleasure to see their enthusiasm for the hospital.

"We look forward to working with Enterprise in the future."

The £30m hospital opened in January last year and more than 60,000 young patients were treated there in its first year.

A public appeal to raise £15m towards the £30m cost of the hospital has now raised £13.8m.

Singer Jason Donovan will be starting the Blenheim race for the second year running and organisers are hoping racegoers can match last year's total of £50,000.

The Oxford Mail, which is backing the OX5 Run, will be videoing participating runners.

It costs £10 to enter the race in advance, or £12.50 on the day.

To enter the run, fill in and return the coupon on this page, see oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/ox5run or call Penny Hambridge on 01865 743445.