WHEN Emma Dadson was expecting her son Thomas, her pregnancy scans suggested everything was fine.

So she and husband Simon got a shock when doctors revealed their second child needed a stomach operation just five days after he was born on December 6, 2010.

Following the emergency operation at Oxford Children’s Hospital, Thomas made a full recovery.

Now Mr and Mrs Dadson are taking part in this year’s OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock to raise funds for the hospital as a thank- you.

Organisers are hoping to get 1,000 runners raising £100 each, to reach a £100,000 target in the 10th anniversary race on Sunday, March 25.

Following the operation to bypass an obstruction in his bowel, Thomas spent two-and-a-half weeks on Tom’s Ward and was discharged on Boxing Day.

He is now a healthy one-year-old.

Mum-of-two Mrs Dadson, 34, a divisional manager at Harwell Document Restoration Services, said: “There have been a number of follow-up appointments since the operation and we think the hospital is a brilliant facility.”

Mr Dadson, 34, a geography lecturer at Christ Church, Oxford, has also signed up for the run.

The couple have set up a donation web page at justgiving.com/DadsonFamily.

Children’s hospital spokesman Penny Hambridge said: “Emma has already shown tremendous support by helping raise just over £1,000 through a raffle and dinner, so we are delighted that she is continuing to put so much time and effort into helping the hospital.”

Last year, runners raised £60,000 to buy toys and equipment for the hospital that are not funded by the NHS.

The money also paid for a mobile intensive care unit and a room for teenage cancer patients to relax in.

The race, organised by the Oxford Mail, is sponsored by recruitment firm Allen Associates, Jack FM, and stores at Witney’s Marriott’s Walk shopping centre.

Oxford United have also backed the run, with chairman Kelvin Thomas and manager Chris Wilder expected to join the starting line with several players.

To register for the race fill in the form, left, or for more details and to enter online go to ox5run.co.uk