Two chances to run in the sun

6:49am Friday 9th May 2008

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AN OXFORD charity is set to benefit from one of two fundraising runs taking place this weekend.

Pathway Workshop, in Blackbird Leys - which offers employment and training for adults with physical and learning disabilities - will enter five teams in Oxford Rotary Club's 5km Fun Run in the University Parks on Saturday.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people are expected to join the fight against heart disease on Sunday when they take part in the British Heart Foundation's Blenheim Bolt.

Pathway Workshop staff are taking part in the Fun Run for the first time after the organisers decided to let wheelchair users complete the course. The organisation itself is one of the main beneficiaries of the money raised on the day.

John Healey, the Rotary Club's projects chairman, said: "We hope to have about 200 runners taking part.

"We are always looking for local charities to support and we have had links with Pathway for about five years. We think they do a great job.

"Last year we raised more than £5,000 and we hope to do just as well this time."

Mike Kyle, the director of the Dunnock Way-based Pathway Workshop, said: "A number of staff are doing it and we will be helping out on the day with a number of youth clubs and associations.

"Pretty well all of our staff will be there and we will have three running teams and two walking teams, making up about 20 people in total. There will also be a number of carers, parents and supporters, so it will be a big day out for us.

"In previous years we have received about £3,000-4,000 from the event, and that, in terms of our contribution budget, is quite substantial and will go a long way towards salaries for our staff at the workshop."

The race starts at 11am and entry costs £20 per person.

For more information visit www.oxfordfunrun.org.uk

Meanwhile, the 10km Blenheim Bolt, taking place at Blenheim Palace, could attract a record entry with bright sunshine forecast.

Last year's race saw about 800 people running, jogging or walking around the palace grounds. Now in its fifth year, the event has so far raised a total of £100,000 - and Sunday's race is expected to bring in another £30,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

Many of those taking part have either lost a loved one to heart disease or have been affected themselves.

Dr Jamie Bentham, a paediatric cardiology registrar at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, will be running with three colleagues, Dr Simon Bamforth, Dr Catherine Cosgrove and PhD student Anna Mitchell.

Dr Bentham said: "It's a great way to get behind a very worthwhile cause."

His team will also have two younger members - his four-year-old daughter Zoe and Dr Cosgrove's 18-month-old daughter Hattie, who will be pushed around the course in their pushchairs.

Entry costs £10 in advance or £15 on the day. For details call 0800 1693672 or visit www.bhf.org.uk/blenheim