Why we’re sponsoring the OX5 Run for the tenth year

On March 25th, hundreds of people will be waking up to what promises to be a fantastic day, no matter the weather. Against a backdrop of the glorious Blenheim Palace, novice, experienced and fun runners from across the county will be out in their droves to help raise vital funds for a charity that is incredibly close to all our hearts at Allen Associates - Oxford Children's Hospital.

We have been a sponsor of the OX5 Run for 10 years for a number of reasons. From the outset, we wanted to make a long-term commitment to a charity that was inspiring – not just in the way that it benefits those who need help the most, but also in the enthusiasm, passion and total dedication of all those involved.

The way in which we could actively become involved was equally important factor in the decision-making process. Supporting a charity with a donation is easy, anyone can do that. We wanted to get involved and play a part in helping it to achieve its objectives. That’s where making a real difference comes into play. Oxford Children’s Hospital matched everything that we were looking for in a charity partnership, and then some.

Since 2008, the OX5 Run has grown from strength to strength. With more runners running, more money raised each year, and more children and young people benefitting from often life-changing and life-affirming support. This is all made possible by the incredible fundraising efforts of the individuals and teams taking part, and this has been one of the soundest decisions we have made as a business during the 20 years we have been in operation.

The OX5 Run has raised almost £1 million for the hospital over the years, with all the money from the 2017 event going to support the development of a new 62-bedroom on-site parental accommodation. The funds raised also helped with the purchase of a micro-biology scanner that can diagnose instances of meningitis in a matter of a few hours rather than three days, as has previously been the case. So, you can see how important events such as the OX5 Run are in enabling key projects like these to become possible.

In December, the Oxford Mail ran a feature on where the money raised for the event goes, and they told the story of five of the children at Oxford Children’s Hospital who have directly benefited from both our support and that of everyone taking part in the run. You can read the article on the Oxford Mail’s website by clicking here: READ ARTICLE.

We’re delighted to be involved with such a great cause and we very much look forward to seeing if we – all of us together – can make 2018 the best year yet. For more information about the OX5 Run and to enter, please go to the event page on the Oxford Children’s Hospital website. CLICK HERE