MORE than 1,000 people have signed up to the Oxford Mail’s OX5 Run to raise money for the children’s hospital.

And with just over two weeks to go until the big day, the Oxford Mail is hoping to smash last year’s record number of 1,200.

The 1,000 person milestone is being celebrated by nineyear- old Magnus Cameron, a regular visitor to the hospital, who was selected to set off the starting klaxon.

The schoolboy struggled to hear before groundbreaking surgery to use his skull as an amplifier drastically changed his life.

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He has also relied on the hospital to help him overcome a heart problem.

He said: “I’m very pleased to be starting the race off – but I’m quite scared as it’s such a big race.

“I want to help the children’s hospital because I want to repay the kindness they showed me.”

Hospital staff treated Magnus for a heart problem using a 3D echo machine.

The Moulsford school pupil said: “They have done a lot for me, they saved my life really when I was ill.”

“When I was at the hospital I felt really safe.

He added: “Raising money for charity is very important – the hospital changes people’s lives and all the money is making sure they save people.”

His family said about 100 different hospital staff have looked after him over the past decade.

Magnus’ mum Paula has signed up for the run on Sunday, March 29, to give something back to the staff.

The 52-year-old former commercial consultant from Little Milton said: “The specialist nurses were amazing – he had so many needles but they distracted him and he didn’t even notice it.”

This year’s five-mile run will once again take place in the grounds of Blenheim Palace.

Mrs Cameron added: “It’s fun, it raises money and it’s for such a great cause – it’s about encouraging people for a sense of fun.”

Spokeswoman for the Oxford Children’s Hospital Sarah Vaccari said: “This event is so important to the Oxford Children’s Hospital as it raises really important funds to help buy the most specialist medical equipment as well as the extras that make life in hospital that bit easier for our young patients.”

The event is being sponsored by Oxford recruitment firm Allen Associates for the seventh year.

  • To join Magnus and the 1,000 who have signed up go to oxfordmail.co.uk/ox5run or use the form on page 26 of today's Oxford Mail.