A FESTIVAL atmosphere took hold at Blenheim Palace today as children, parents and staff turned out to support and run in the OX5 Run.

Almost 1,000 runners made it round the five-mile course on a day which looks set to raise well over £100,000 for Oxford Children's Hospital.

The CEO of the children's hospital charity, Douglas Graham, who himself completed the run, thanked the thousands of people who showed their support.

He said: "Its fantastic we have got more than 1,000 runners this year and so many more people here supporting.

"It just shows how much the people of Oxfordshire and beyond care about their children's hospital and we are so grateful to every one of them.

"There was a real festival atmosphere once people started finishing the race and it was a great day."

The weather has been hit and miss in recent years but yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far which ensured a party atmosphere.

Fancy dress dominated proceedings once again this year with the minion making a triumphant return and some sterling efforts from superheroes and even a reindeer.

But one team dominated the Blenheim Palace scene more than any other - Beth's Bees.

There were sixty bees buzzing around the course to raise money for the staff who have got little ballerina Beth Lee back on her feet.

The five-year-old had a successful hip operation last year after being born with a cleft palate, dislocated hips and breathing problems.

Mum Julia Spargo said: "It was a perfect day, the weather was great, we got to 60 bees and raised our target of £5,000 for the hospital.

"I can't thank the staff there enough, and the other day Beth walked up the steps to our house for the first time without using the handrail.

"It was a really special moment and all down to the hospital."

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The 'miracle man' Thomas Rafferty, who paramedics thought was going to die three years ago when he fell from the top of his van and fractured his skull, broke his neck and jaw and ripped his ear off, was overwhelmed when he completed the race.

He said: "It feels amazing, I've been through a lot but I saw a little lad in a wheelchair watching and it's all for youngsters like that.

"I raised more than £1,000, the support has been amazing - I keep saying it's fate that I am still here and I'm so glad I can do this."

Eve Hanlon, whose six-year-old daughter Martha battled leukaemia for more than two years before it went into remission, assembled Team Martha for another year.

She said: "I find it incredibly uplifting to see so many people here, it's so reassuring that the charity work will continue because there's so much support for it.

"They were amazing with us at the hospital, Martha was treated like a celebrity and loved it there and she would always run up and hug her consultant."

The race was officially started by four-year-old Alan Moulder and his brother David, along with Beth Lee.

The Banbury boy had spent four months in hospital with Burkitt's Lymphoma and was the poster boy for this year's run. - his hair His mum Angela, who was running said it was a "proud moment" to see him looking well and starting the runners off on Mother's Day.

Last year’s event saw a record-breaking £116,000 raised, which has already been spent on a sensory room to educate and entertain children in its high dependency unit, equipment to stabilise premature babies and a specialist nurse for children with severe asthma.

If more than £150,000 is raised this year then the Oxford Mail’s annual event will break the £1m mark.

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Alan Moulder, who started the race, with mum Angela who ran it

Almost as soon as the final competitors officially began their run, the race winner Paul Hughes, from Abingdon Athletics Club, crossed the line in a time of 28 minutes 57 seconds.

The 32-year-old said: "I enjoyed the race and am happy to have won, I raised a bit of money for the hospital as well which make it worthwhile.

"The weather was great also and running around an estate like Blenheim is much nice than other runs where you're battling traffic."

The first woman over the line, for the second year running, was Hannah Hale, who was part of a team from Siemens Magnet Technology based in Eynsham.

She said: "I'm pleased to have defended my title from last year but it's so great to see so many people out doing the run and raising money.

"It's been great for team spirit at work and as a social activity but ultimately it's for a good cause."

To donate to those who took part in the OX5 or to give to the hospital go to hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run

Last year’s event saw a record-breaking £116,000 raised, which has already been spent on a sensory room to educate and entertain children in its high dependency unit, equipment to stabilise premature babies and a specialist nurse for children with severe asthma.