Christine Hamilton – the celebrity wife of controversial politician Neil Hamilton – has sounded the claxon for this year's charity push to get people signed up to the 10K Oxford Town and Gown.

As an ambassador of Muscular Dystrophy UK Mrs Hamilton has urged people to get their running shoes on and gear up for the fundraising race.

The 10K race will take a sea of orange-clad runners through the heart of the city and on to University Parks on Sunday, May 14.

Mrs Hamilton is a prominent supporter of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), while her husband is leader of the group in Wales. The pair became familiar figures on TV, following Mr Hamilton's public disgrace as a Tory MP following the cash for questions affair.

She starred on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2002, and reached the final of Celebrity Masterchef in 2010.

Mrs Hamilton will continue a tradition established five years ago, of officially starting the race, which marks its 36th year in May.

She said: "When the charity first asked me to get involved in the Oxford Town and Gown I thought it sounded like great fun and it was great fun.

"Everybody enjoyed themselves so much and since then it has just got bigger and better each time.

"This race is quite appropriate being in Oxford as it has the centre of excellence, the neuromuscular service at The John Radcliffe Hospital, which I know people come from all over the UK to use."

The Oxford Town and Gown event is staged annually by Muscular Dystrophy UK to help raise money to support families living with the muscle-wasting condition.

Mrs Hamilton said: "I first got involved when the charity asked me to help raise awareness of a charity trek to Machu Picchu even though I had never done it myself.

"I thought how can I write a piece to encourage others to do this if I have never done it myself, anyway I did and they came straight back to me and said why don’t you do it.

"I thought why not, and it was terrific although quite a trek. We went five days without seeing a single non-native trekking base to base.

"It was very hard but great fun, ever since then I have helped out where I can."

Machu Picchu may be the pinnacle of Mrs Hamilton's work with Muscular Dystrophy UK but she has also done many other stints such as posing with politician husband Neil to recreate a scene from the film Ghost.

She added: "I like the charity, it is a small team and I know because I have been to their head office that they don’t waste money on admin. "Every pound raised is helping families in need.

"It’s a wonderful charity and always a wonderful atmosphere when you visit."

The ambassador admits she did not know a great deal about the charity before she became involved about six years ago and added that she has since been touched by the stories she's heard.

She added: "We all think we have problems when we don’t feel well, and it just brings you back to reality what these families have to go through as a daily struggle.

"It is things we all take for granted and we don’t always realise how difficult life can really be for these families who are affected by muscular dystrophy."

Entries are open for this year's Oxford Town and Gown event, which also features a junior 3km race.

Each runner will get a medal and finisher's T-shirt.

Mrs Hamilton added: "The most important thing to remember is people don’t have to run. They can start off running or walking,it doesn’t really matter.

"We have groups that take part and that’s nice as they all train together and there is usually quite a few university groups.

"What else are you going to be doing on a Sunday morning? Sitting at home is no good for you –and no good for anyone else!"

To donate or sign up to the Oxford Town and Gown see townandgown10k.com