Other hospices and charities that shore up our sadly deficient National Health Service by providing care for the terminally ill, or those with life-limiting conditions, can be forgiven if they look enviously at Helen and Douglas House.

To have raised £4.8m during the silver jubilee year of Helen House, the world's first hospice for children, is indeed remarkable, and a reward for those who have worked tirelessly to achieve it.

The fundraising team have pulled every string to encourage the great and the good to give, as well as to publicise the work of the two houses in places far beyond our city.

The list of events that marked the anniversary read like the social calendar of the high and mighty.

People from all walks of life flocked to attend, or to be involved, in these momentous occasions.

But no-one should forget the part played by a modest nun, whose concern a quarter of a century ago for a terminally ill girl, and the devastating effect it was having on her family, gave birth to Helen House.

There is now a strong support team running the two houses - the need to raise £4m a year to keep the doors open calls for such organisation.

But the contribution of Sister Frances Dominica, in the past and today, has had an enormous influence on how the public feel about Helen House and its young brother, Douglas House.

Her position in the hearts of those who care borders on the iconic.

Nationally, she has been accorded the title of Woman of the Year, but as far as those two centres of hope and love are concerned, she is the woman of every year.

There isn't a single person who has rattled a tin, made a Christmas card or knitted a child's matinee coat, let alone trekked to the Great Wall of China, who would disagree.