A MUM trying to raise money for a local hospice was surprised with a call from Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon.

Jenny Best, from Banbury, has been asking people to donate to her fundraising appeal for the Helen & Douglas House hospice, in order help local families like hers who have children with life-shortening conditions.

Ms Best's son Nathan, aged 10, was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic and life-limiting condition that causes a range of symptoms resulting in low muscle tone and balance issues. He often needs a frame to walk - or a wheelchair on bad days - and he is also fed through a tube.

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The children's hospice helps the family with respite stays for Nathan as well as providing at-home care.

As a Mother's Day present, Helen & Douglas House surprised Ms Best with a duet sung by her son Nathan alongside long-time supporter of the hospice and television superstar, Rob Brydon.

The hospice recorded Nathan singing his favourite song, 'You are my sunshine', which Ms Best sings to him when he is sad.

The hospice then sent the song to Rob, where he added his vocals to Nathan's as a surprise for Jenny for Mother’s Day.

The song was played on BBC Radio Oxford yesterday, while Ms Best, Nathan, and Mr Brydon had a conversation over Zoom.

On the call Nathan chatted with the actor about all the things he loves to do at the hospice.

The pair spoke for half an hour about a range of things including Nathan’s love of Captain Jack Sparrow, and his passion for baking.

Mr Brydon also did a range of impressions for him.

Ms Best said: “Meeting Rob Brydon was an absolute honour for Nathan and I and it was a real Mother’s Day treat.

“He was extremely kind and Nathan loved chatting away to him.

“This is just another way Helen & Douglas House make us feel special.

“We feel very special and honoured to have met Rob.”

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Nathan said: “He was really nice and he has a Hamster."

Ms Best has been helping the hospice with their Mother's Day appeal this year.

Ms Best said: "Nathan tells me that Helen & Douglas House is his favourite place in the world. Aside from the exceptional one-to-one care they give him, he is often found singing, taking part in craft sessions, kicking about a football in the garden, and even baking, which is made possible by the specialist facilities they have for disabled children.

"Thanks to the support from Helen & Douglas House he is often seen at the hospice with a huge smile plastered across his face and is very reluctant to come home."

Donations from the appeal will help provide medical, and supportive stays for children like Nathan.

Nathan visits the hospice for a couple of days and nights where he is looked after by the specialist care team.

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The hospice costs £3.4 million to run each year, and 83 per cent of that money comes from public donations and fundraising appeals.

You can donate by going to www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/jenny or calling 01865 799 150.

Listen to Jenny’s story on video www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzpbYDpQQLk

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