OX5 RUN Achieves £100k Target
Oxford Hospitals Charity has succeeded in raising £100k through the OX5 RUN, despite the fact that it took place virtually during lockdown in 2021. Some of the money has already been earmarked for a new Play Specialist role at Oxford Children's Hospital and improvements to the children's emergency waiting areas at Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Allen Associates feels privileged to have sponsored the OX5 RUN for the 12th year running and proud of its consultants for joining the hundreds of other supporters who ran or walked their own five mile circuits in their local areas, in line with Covid-19 restrictions at the time.
Gail Williams from Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "This year’s OX5 RUN was simply incredible, a real success, despite all the complexities of the year.
"And although we couldn’t be together at Blenheim, we were still able to capture some of the magic that makes the OX5 RUN so special.
"From supporters taking part in fancy dress, families running with their children and even runners spread across the globe, we saw first-hand what people were willing to do to help local children in hospital.
"Now the final count of fundraising is in, all of the charity team are in awe of how the local community managed to raise so much money to make a difference for our young patients.
"We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone helped us raise this incredible sum and of course to our event sponsors, Allen Associates, and also JACK FM Oxfordshire and the Oxford Mail. We can’t wait to see you again in 2022."
Kate Allen, Managing Director of Allen Associates, added: "All of the team at Allen Associates are incredibly proud of this year's OX5 RUN and the astounding amount of money that it was able to raise, helping thousands of young patients treated at the Oxford Children’s Hospital.
"The OX5 RUN is such a staple within the Oxfordshire community, and it's a way for families, friends and colleagues to give back to their local children's hospital for the care they, or a loved one has received.
"We feel extremely privileged to have sponsored and taken part in this fantastic local event for the 12th time."
The fundraising from the event will help make a difference for young hospital patients in Oxfordshire, with two special projects already earmarked for support.
The first is funding to bring in a new Play Specialist role, supporting children having important medical scans to diagnose conditions like cancer and spinal problems.
Play specialists are skilled staff that help distract, calm and entertain children - from tiny babies through to strapping teens.
This new member of staff will support young patients preparing for an MRI in order to help more children undergo the procedure awake, rather than under a general anaesthetic
This means young patients spend less time in hospital and avoid potential side effects of a general anaesthetic. For some children who have multiple visits to hospital and regular scans this will make a huge difference.
The charity is also continuing to improve Emergency visits for children at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Funding from the OX5 RUN will help to make the new Children’s Emergency waiting areas more child-friendly with activities and artwork to keep youngsters busy.
The Oxford Hospitals Charity team have now started planning their 2022 OX5 RUN event - which will be the 20th anniversary of this important fundraiser - hopefully back in its wonderful Blenheim Palace setting.
To find out more about the work of Oxford Hospitals Charity across the Children’s Hospital, John Radcliffe, Horton General, Churchill and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre visit www.hospitalcharity.co.uk
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