STAFF who treated Ashwin Money at Oxford Children’s Hospital after he got pneumonia have been praised as “fantastic” by his parents.

Now Helen and Alex Money, from Summertown, have signed up for the OX5 Run around Blenheim Palace, on Sunday, March 25, to raise funds for new equipment at the hospital.

The five-mile race in the grounds of the Woodstock palace is in its 10th year and fundraisers are hoping 1,000 runners will raise £100,000, up from last year’s total of £60,000.

Mr and Mrs Money, of Victoria Road praised staff who cared for Ashwin, now two, when he stayed in the hospital for 12 days last year.

Mrs Money, 42, a former fund manager who runs her own nutrition company, said: “It’s a brilliant hospital – we’re impressed with everyone there.

“The staff keep you informed and made me confident Ashwin had the best possible care.”

Mrs Money and husband Alex, 40, a partner in an investor relations company, were advised to take Ashwin to hospital by their GP after he got a chest infection. The Wolvercote Montessori nursery pupil was diagnosed with a collapsed lung and pneumonia.

Mrs Money said: “He was examined by doctors from paediatrics, chest specialists and, since we had just returned from Zambia, by the tropical diseases team.

“He was very ill and there was a worry that because he was so young, he would not have enough energy to keep breathing.

“I stayed with him the whole time while Alex looked after our other son, four-year-old Jaya.

“The playrooms are so fantastic that Jaya was excited about coming. It was horrendous, but things like that made it easier to cope as a family.”

Tests showed Ashwin has a minor heart defect and might need surgery in the future, but for now he is healthy and full of beans.

Children’s Hospital fundraiser Penny Hambridge said: “It is wonderful to hear parents like Helen and Alex value the care their children had.

“We’d love to see more signing up to run.”

  • For more information about the OX5 Run and how to enter, click on the link below.