ALMOST every day, staff nurse Sian Payne uses equipment at Oxford Children’s Hospital paid for by fundraisers from the OX5 Run.

Now in its 10th year, the five-mile race around the grounds of Blenheim Palace takes place on Sunday.

Nearly 800 runners have signed up so far, and fundraisers are hoping to get the number over 1,000.

That could bring in a total of £100,000 for toys and equipment at the hospital.

Among the runners will be Ms Payne, 28, from Headington, who is running with other nurses from Tom’s Ward. Ms Payne, who has worked at the hospital for four years, said: “I have done the OX5 Run before and know it is a really important event – because we see first hand what it can achieve.

“Nearly every day I use equipment that we only have because of the OX5 and other fundraising events.

“It’s a really fun day and it’s nice to do it with some of the other nurses on Tom’s Ward. We always dress up and have a good laugh together while doing the run. I also think people really like seeing the nurses taking part and it’s our chance to say thank you to all those brilliant people who are running for our hospital.”

Today is the last day people can register online. Runners have until midnight to sign up, and can collect their runner’s numbers on Sunday at Blenheim.

People can also register on the day – but only until 9.30am. Head to the registration tent by the Blenheim pleasure gardens to sign up, on a first-come first-served basis.

Hospital spokesman Sarah Vaccari said: “We are still hoping to hit our 1,000 target. This is such a great local event because it brings together so many people from the community supporting a wonderful cause.

“Every year we are amazed by the generosity and depth of support from the community.

“Recently I chatted with a family whose two-year-old daughter has leukaemia.

“They were telling me how much they appreciate all the people who fundraise for the hospital and what a difference their efforts make. There can be no greater motivator than helping families like theirs. ”

The race is organised by the Oxford Mail and sponsored by Oxford-based recruitment firm Allen Associates, radio station Jack FM, and stores at Marriotts Walk shopping centre.

Last year runners raised £60,000 and the money was invested in a chill-out room for teenage cancer patients, and a mobile intensive care unit.

  • To register, see ox5run.co.uk