So that time is upon us again - the yearly dunking in to the greenness that is Blenheim lake... This year Katie Boots has also signed up to don the blue and yellow jersey of Thinking of Oscar. So... please support us - in person, in donations or in kind words, we'll take all we can get!

Oscar Cole died suddenly and unexpectedly in June 2014, aged just 16 months. His parents created the Thinking of Oscar charity in his memory.  The objective of the charity is the relief of sickness and promotion of the health of children, young people and their families whilst in hospital care across England. So far the charity has raised over £150,000, provided innovative 'vein finder' technology, raised enough to fully fund a new paediatrics procedures unit at the John Radcliffe. Thinking of Oscar is committed to identifying projects and innovation which are over and above those which the NHS is able to provide.

Completing a triathlon is no small feat - Jo will be facing it for a third time and Katie for the first. Both have plans to hide at a spa on 5 June (!)

Jo says:
Thinking of Oscar is a charity close to my heart, both because I want to support Oscar's parents and because my own children have used the NHS more than is healthy. As Roald Dahl once said, if adults ever want to see life from a child’s point of view, they should get down on their hands and knees and look up at the people towering above you. If you imagine trying that in a hospital, whilst you are already feeling out of place and unwell, then any measure which gives comfort or makes the processes and procedures slightly less terrifying is welcome. Thinking of Oscar has provided toy drives to better the toys, and the distraction they provide and it has funded a new procedures unit, specifically for children rather than shared with adults. I look forward to supporting the next project...

Katie says:
As a mum of three young children, I couldn't help but be moved by the Coles story and the good that they are doing to support other families facing childhood illness. I feel honoured to be taking part in the Blenheim Triathlon as part of the Thinking of Oscar team and hope that my small effort can go some way to making a big difference to the families in need.