A party atmosphere at an Oxford shopping centre is helping to raise money for Oxfordshire Hospital Schools.

Computer software company School Soft has been organising games and competitions for children at Templars Square, in Cowley, to keep them busy over the Easter holidays.

With help from the shopping centre's mascot Sizzling Sidney, staff are encouraging everyone to get involved -- including fathers, who can take part in a virtual driving challenge.

Money raised from the activities -- which continue until Saturday, 18 April -- will be donated to Oxfordshire Hospital Schools, which looks after young patients while they are staying at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, Radcliffe Infirmary, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Park Hospital, the Highfield Adolescent Unit, the Warneford Hospital, and The Horton Hospital, Banbury.

Mark Atterill, of School Soft, said it was hoped enough money would be raised to buy new educational software.

He said: "Computers are good for learning when children are in hospital. Young patients continue their school work while they are treated and even do their exams. It's therefore important they have access to something that's helpful but fun.

"Our software also helps parents to understand what their children would be doing at school, so they can give them tuition."

Up to 60 five to 18-year-old pupils can rely on help from Oxfordshire Hospital School staff to keep them on top of their class work.

Teacher Anne Stevenson, who works with teenagers at the JR's adolescent unit, said: "Computers are an important resource. I have access to two laptops -- but could do with more, because that's the way children from 14 to 16 do their work now.

"If I have someone who is attached to a drip or is bed-bound, then a laptop is wonderful. Recently, we had a pupil who was in hospital for a long time, and all he could do was move a computer mouse, so this type of hardware is invaluable."