Children's hospital cared for mother's premature baby

Mum-of-two Julia Spargo said joining the OX5 charity run for the Headington hospital was the least she could do after all the help they have given her daughter Beth.

The five-mile Blenheim Palace run on March 10, 2013, organised by the Oxford Mail, raises much-needed cash for children’s treatment at the hospital.

One-year-old daughter Beth was born with a cleft palate, dislocated hips and respiratory problems.

At two weeks old she was moved to the Oxford Children’s Hospital’s special care baby unit for treatment where she underwent scans and an operation.

The North Oxfordshire resident said: “We had no idea there was anything wrong, so it all came as a huge shock.

“When you have a sick baby everything changes. We’d already had some first-hand experience of the hospital when our three-year-old Amalia had surgery for a duplex kidney, but in those first few months with Beth normal life went out of the window.

“Until you are part of the community that use the Children’s Hospital, you do not appreciate how long some babies and children have to spend in hospital. Nor do you realise just how many of the homely facilities and pioneering pieces of medical equipment have been paid for through fundraising and donations.

“Running five miles around the beautiful grounds of Blenheim is the least I can do.”

Spokesman for the Children’s Hospital Sarah Vaccari said: “This fun run really is a chance for local people to make a difference and support a wonderful cause and I hope Julia’s story has inspired people to get their running shoes on and sign up for the run.”

Enter online via the above button, by calling 01865 743444 or by downloading and posting in our  OX5 2013 entry form.pdf

If you or someone else has a special reason for entering then please email our OX5 Reporter Katriona Ormiston