OXFORD United kits were donated to children at Helen & Douglas House to spread Christmas cheer.
Club manager Karl Robinson and head of academy Stevie Kinniburgh visited the children’s hospice off Cowley Road and handed out presents donated by eBay, including home and away kits and footballs.
The club is working with eBay, who are donating their perimeter advertising and programme page to the hospice.
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Andrea Baganz-Pritchard, community fundraising manager at the hospice, said: “We were so delighted to welcome Oxford United to the hospice today to meet some of our staff and the children we care for.
“Oxford United has been a wonderful support to our charity over the last year raising money and our profile locally which is really appreciated.
“A big thank you to eBay too for providing us with free advertising at the Oxford United ground this year promoting our eBay shop which we are really grateful for.
“Thank you to both for the fantastic gifts of the Oxford United football kits and footballs for children at our siblings club, who are so excited about receiving these wonderful gifts this Christmas and will bring so much joy to them and their families.”
Mr Robinson said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit and see everyone. We have grown really close to Helen & Douglas House this year: staff did a parachute jump for them, we had a matchday dedicated to them and we have gone along and supported a number of events.
“The staff at Helen & Douglas House are amazing people and most fans in Oxford and across Oxfordshire will know a family who Helen & Douglas House have helped over the years. It’s an honour to be asked along and to be able to help in any way we can.”
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This year the hospice, which cares for terminally ill children and their families, celebrated 40 years since its foundation.
Helen House was inspired by Helen Worswick, who in 1978, at the age of two and a half, was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
There are now 54 children’s hospices across the UK and many more across the world, broadly modelled on Helen House.
In 1980 fundraising began with local media coverage and in October 1981, Helen's younger sister Catherine, laid the foundation stone of the hospice.
Just over a year later, in November 1982, Helen House was opened by The Duchess of Kent.
The hospice cares for young people from Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire; Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, parts of London, Northamptonshire and Wiltshire and also support current and bereaved families.
To donate to the hospice, visit https://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/christmas-appeal-2022-warm/
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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi
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