A FAMILY who will forever be indebted to the staff at Oxford's Children's Hospital for saving their daughter's eyesight has pledged their commitment to the OX5 Run.

Eliza Hammond had just turned two years old when her parents were told she faced a race against time to save her sight.

The youngster, now aged six, was diagnosed with children's cataracts in January 2015 and had just just 10 per cent vision and needed multiple major eye operations.

Parents Lynne and Tom put Eliza's turnaround down to the 'amazing' efforts of consultant Dr Goran Hildebrand and the team at the children's hospital.

READ AGAIN: Parents praise hospital staff for saving daughters sight

Mr Hammond said the family will always be grateful to the hospital and the staff's positivity.

He added: "It must be a tremendously difficult job and yet never get cross or frustrated or even look tired - which I am sure they must've been - or drained dealing with sick children.

"When Eliza was diagnosed it was all very quick and the initial prognosis was that she could go totally blind. It was quite shocking, so to be able to have that support during those days and months that followed was amazing. That as well as the after care I can't speak highly enough of."

In just two weeks Eliza underwent three major eye operations to remove the lens from her eye and have it replaced with a clear plastic lens called an intraocular lens.

Her parents were able to stay at her bedside day and night in Robins Ward thanks to the facilities at the hospital.

Eliza continues to have regular checks at the hospital with the eye department spending some four or five hours there every three months.

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To thank the hospital, the Hammond family have pledged their efforts once again to taking on the OX5 Run for Oxford Children's Hospital Charity.

Mr and Mrs Hammond have alternated their entries each year and Mr Hammond will this time run with his mum and brother. Mrs Hammond will be cheering from the sidelines as she is expecting the pair's third child due just weeks later.

Oxford Mail:

The Oxford Mail OX5 Run will, once again, take runners around a five-mile course at Blenheim Palace on Sunday, March 24.

Fundraisers can walk, jog or run the event, sponsored by Allen Associates, all in aid of supporting Oxford Children Hospital.

Mr Hammond added: "It is really good run, we live in Woodstock so just round the corner and it is a lovely run, all for a good cause and with a great atmosphere."

Early bird entry is £17.50 before February 24 and individual runners and teams can sign up online.

For details contact 01865 743444 or charity@ouh.nhs.uk, or to sign up at ox5run.co.uk