A group of families, friends and teachers raised nearly £10,000 for Oxford Children’s Hospital, inspired by a girl called Neve who is recovering from a tumour.

The Oxford Children’s Hospital, which is part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is supported by Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The charity raises funds to make a difference for patients and staff across the hospitals.

Neve Tammam was diagnosed with a brain tumour in July, aged just seven.

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Within days she had major brain surgery, followed by radiotherapy at the Churchill Hospital and then receiving chemotherapy and care on Kamran’s Ward at the Oxford Children’s Hospital, which looks after children with cancer.

As Neve approached her eighth birthday, her mum, Emily, and a group of 37 friends decided to tackle Oxford Hospitals Charity’s Great Big Hospital Charity Challenge – and set themselves the target of all running (or walking) 8km and raising £8,000 for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

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Neve’s mum Emily said: “We decided to do something positive to thank the many hospital teams helping us through. Soon we had friends all over the country promising to run their own 8k, and in some cases 8k for 8 days, to help our fundraising in honour of Neve’s birthday.

"Many of the team were teachers from Neve’s school, Larkrise Primary in Oxford, who’ve all been absolutely fantastic. It was wonderful to have so many people all doing their individual runs, coming together to support us.

“I was keen to work with a local cause so chose Oxford Hospitals Charity, so we would know how the money was spent, and that it would be put to really good long-term use and help people locally.

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"Our lives have changed so much in recent months, and so much is out of our control, but raising money and doing something positive was something we could do.

"I also know that many charities have missed out on vital funds due to cancelled events, so this felt like something that would make a real difference.”

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Over the past few weeks Team Neve all ran their 8kms, and have smashed their target raising over nearly £10,000.

Ms Tammam added: "We've had so much emotional and practical support from friends – it has really helped us keep going. They were there to catch us, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness. It’s made a huge difference."

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Sarah Vaccari, from Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “One of things we especially love to see, particularly during these disjointed days, is the way a shared virtual challenge can bring friends together and provide special support for a family in the thick of the most testing times.”

To sponsor Team Neve visit justgiving.com/team/Team-Neve and to find out how you can make a difference across your local hospitals visit hospitalcharity.co.uk.