A WOMAN is running the Oxford Half Marathon in a costume this weekend to raise money for a hospice caring for terminally ill children in the county.

On Sunday, Becky McWass will be running dressed in an orange house-shaped costume, to represent Helen & Douglas House.

She hopes to raise at least £5,000 for the hospice in Magdalen Road, which cares for terminally ill children in Oxfordshire and their family.

READ MORE: Blood donation appointments fully booked in Oxfordshire after NHS issues alert

Ms McWass has fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body, and about 11 years ago she couldn’t even walk down the stairs.

She has used running and training as a way for getting her health back on track and is also hoping to run the London Marathon for the hospice next year.

She said: “I have dreamed of running the London Marathon for years even before I could run. I recall watching it from my sick bed and thinking ‘wow, how amazing’ but I’ll never be well enough.”

She chose to raise funds for the hospice so that more terminally ill children in Oxfordshire can get the care they need.

She said: “A long time ago I helped a young boy with brain damage take part in lots of activities, including a camp.

READ MORE: 'Investment zones are not the right move,' says Oxfordshire County Council

“He unfortunately passed away in hospital. His dad said he always had a photo of me and him from camp on his bedside.

“He didn’t have a children’s hospice to go to then. So to know there’s somewhere like Helen & Douglas House that could have helped him towards the end makes me want to raise money for them.  

“I knew the family would have really benefited from the care that Helen & Douglas House provides. The boy was eventually admitted to hospital and passed away in a ward.

“To be able to help other families to ensure they don't have to go through that extra trauma would be amazing. No matter how small please donate to help other local terminally ill children and their families have a better quality of life.”

Julia Woodcock, events fundraiser at the hospice, said: “I would like to wish all 70 of our Oxford Half Marathon runners the best of luck on Sunday and thank them all for raising such an amazing amount of money.

“We are hoping to raise a total of over £20,000. I would like to thank Becky especially for running both the Oxford Half and London Marathon for us dressed as the hospice which is particularly challenging and all she has done and is doing to fundraise for us – she is one amazing lady.”

Read more from this author

This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi