TWO sets of parents are to run the OX5 for Oxford Children’s Hospital after seeing first-hand how staff helped their sick and injured children.

Nathan and Kay Thomas and Kevin and Kelly Warman said they were inspired to take on the five-mile challenge at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock to raise cash for the facility.

The Thomas’ daughter, Molly, stopped breathing aged 11 days and was diagnosed with urticaria and angioedema, swelling of the deeper layers of the skin which causes severe rashes.

The two-year-old now has regular check-ups at the hospital’s allergy clinic.

Mr Thomas, 36, said: “Her condition is now under control with medication and she is much more relaxed and happy.

“The staff at the hospital have been amazing and constantly reassure us we are doing everything possible to get Molly on the mend.”

The couple, of Enslow, near Kidlington, hope to raise £500. Pregnant Mrs Thomas, 33, said: “We all just want to show our thanks and appreciation to all the hospital staff who have helped us.”

They will run in the Hilltop Chauffeurs group, named after Mr Thomas’s Oxford vehicle firm, along with friends including the Warmans’, of Hampden Close, Bicester.

Both their boys, Rhys, now six, and Jacob, now two, have been cared for at the hospital, on the John Radcliffe Hospital site.

Rhys needed fingernail surgery after his hand was bitten by a dog in 2009. His brother was in for three-and-a-half weeks aged two months for a lump on the head, which was treated with antibiotics.

Sales representative Mr Warman, 34, said: “They are brilliant, any time we need help they are there.

“They couldn’t do enough for us, they are really fantastic and made it a lot easier for us.”

The ninth OX5 Run will take place on Sunday, March 20. April’s event attracted than 850 runners to raise £57,000 and organisers hope 1,000 will take part this year.

All cash will go towards buying vital equipment which last year included a cooling system to help prevent children at risk of cerebral palsy from developing the disease.

Sarah Vaccari, communications manager for Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds, said: “No family knows when they might need the children’s hospital, so the OX5 Run is a practical and fun way to show support for this great cause.”

Oxford recruitment firm Allen Associates will sponsor the OX5 Run again this year.

To take part visit oxfordmail.co.uk/news/ox5run. Are you taking part? Tell readers your story by calling the newsdesk on 01865 425444.