HAYLEY Dix has survived more than 20 operations due to a rare bone-wasting condition.

But she is still planning to take part in the Oxford Mail OX5Run to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Hayley, 23, a volunteer nursery worker from Chinnor, near Thame, is planning to run the five-mile course around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock, on Sunday, April 18.

Organisers are hoping more than 1,000 runners will take part in the run to raise more than £65,000 for toys and equipment at the hospital.

Miss Dix was involved in the early design of the children’s hospital at the John Radcliffe in Headington, and was one of the patients who suggested giving parents a place to sleep at night near their children.

She said: “When I was two, I suffered meningitis and was given 48 hours to live but I managed to pull through.

“When I was seven I had a routine dental appointment and it led to the discovery that I had Gorham-Stout syndrome – a rare bone-wasting condition.

“When I was about 12 I had my first major operation on my jaw, which had to reconstructed but the operation didn’t work the first time so it had to be done again.

“I have spent quite a lot of time in hospital and now I have been given the all-clear I want to give something back.

“The OX5 Run is the perfect way to do that.

“It’s a bit too cold at the moment to go out running, so I think I will start my training in January.”

Miss Dix, a former pupil at Lord Williams’ School in Thame, will run the race with her father Alan, who has recovered from a heart attack and stroke he suffered several years ago.

Penny Hambridge, children’s development officer for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, said: “It’s so inspiring to hear Hayley’s story and wonderful that after all those operations and all that time in hospital Hayley and her dad are so keen to give something back.

“As Hayley well knows, many of the things that fundraising pays for make a huge difference to young patients, and it is the generosity of Oxford Mail readers and the local community that makes all this possible.

“It would be great if Hayley’s story inspires others to take part for this important cause.”

For the second year running, the race is being sponsored by recruitment consultants Allen Associates and Motorworld.

The children’s hospital opened in 2007 as part of the £135m West Wing and now treats 65,000 patients a year.

It costs £10 to enter before the day, or £12.50 to enter on the day.