CHILDREN tackled giant board games, painted pictures and made masks to celebrate the successes of their hospice – and the people who make it possible.

Staff at Helen & Douglas House in Magdalen Road, East Oxford, invited families of ill youngsters to a tea party to mark the start of Children’s Hospice Week on Saturday.

The national campaign is organised by Children’s Hospices UK to raise awareness and funds for hospices across the country.

Helen & Douglas House spokesman Lin Beekar said the event celebrated everything the hospice had achieved over three decades.

Ms Beekar said: “It’s important people are aware of hospices because we want families to know that there are services for them, and that they can receive specialised care in an environment suited to their age.

“As a charity we are almost entirely dependent on voluntary donations and that’s another reason why we have to raise awareness. We have to rely on the generosity of the public to allow us to do the work that we do.”

She added: “This was also a way to celebrate the work that we do. Nearly 30 years ago it was the world’s first children’s hospice and before that there was nothing for families of children with life-shortening conditions.”

The tea party saw about 50 children and their families playing with giant Connect 4 and Jenga sets while tucking into homemade cakes supplied by the hospice’s chefs.

Children also inspected a fire engine brought by firefighters from The Slade, and a police van.

Sam Bailey, of Blackcroft, Wantage, visits the hospice for two weeks every year.

The 13-year-old, who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy, said: “We had a game of giant Jenga and have eaten lots of cakes and decorated gingerbread men.

“I make new friends when I come here.”

His father, Philip, 45, from Witney, said: “It’s a fantastic place.

“It’s somewhere Sam can go and relax away from his mum and dad – and he just loves it. There should be far more of these around the country.”

Fellow Muscular Dystrophy sufferer Dylan McDermott, 12, lives in Stonesfield, near Witney, and also visits the hospice regularly.

He said: “It’s a fun place. I like coming here and resting so my mum can have a rest.”

His father John, 55, encouraged people to support the hospice. He said: “All the money people give goes to a good cause.”

To donate money see helenanddouglas.org.uk and click on ‘donate today’