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From left, Lorraine Ford, Linda Akid, David Page, Pat Newbold, Jane Surman and Claire Hooper

Organisers of this year's OX5 Run, in aid of the Oxford children's hospital, are hoping hundreds of runners will sign up next week for the race.

So far, about 450 people have applied to join the five-mile run at Blenheim Palace, on Sunday, April 6, which will be started for the second year running by Aussie soap star Jason Donovan.

Fundraisers are hoping double that line-up at the start to raise £50,000 for the charity.

Runners who sign up in advance pay £10 to enter but you can still enter on the day for £12.50, by going to the palace at 9.30am.

Many staff from the hospital itself are entering the race, including Dave's Dollies, a team of women from the finance offices, led by David Page, 32, who is payments manager in the John Radcliffe Hospital's finance department.

Mr Page, from Headington, said: "I ran the race a couple of years ago when I was slightly fitter and recorded a time of about 46 minutes, which wasn't bad.

"I have called my team Dave's Dollies and we will all be running the course together.

"Some members of the team are better runners than others but it's a great cause, so we won't take it too seriously."

Team member Jane Surman, 60, from Bicester, deputy payments manager for charitable funds, added: "I have done Race for Life in the university parks before but never the OX5. I might end up walking round but I want to do this because the hospital needs continuing support."

Graham Brogden, head of community fundraising at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, said: "It's truly motivational that so many nurses and consultants from across the hospital, and members of the fundraising team, are taking part in the OX5 Run, demonstrating real commitment to the cause.

"I've also signed up, set up my Justgiving.com sponsorship page and have already raised £300."

The fundraising team is keen to encourage people to use www.justgiving.com to set up their personalised online fundraising page.

Mr Brogden added: "It's very quick, free and easy to set up your page. You then email the link to all your family, friends and contacts and let the website do the rest!"

Claire Hooper, communications manager for the fundraising team, is also running and added: "The response from the local community, friends and colleagues has been fantastic. We have people of all ages taking part. Our oldest competitor so far has just turned 73!"

Several company teams are competing for the OX5 Cup, awarded to the team with the lowest aggregate time. Last year it was won by a team from the Oxford Mail and Times.

To enter the race, fill in the coupon, left, visit the website oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/ox5run or call Penny Hambridge on 01865 743445.

4:34pm Friday 28th March 2008

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