FUNDRAISERS behind a comedy and music extravaganza in aid of an Oxford hospice have smashed their target by more than £10,000.
Last week thousands of people flocked to see one of three nights of Childish Things, which was raising money for Helen and Douglas House.
Organisers hoped the music night and two comedy nights, which featured stars including Jamie Cullum, KT Tunstall, Michael McIntyre, Jimmy Carr, above, and Jason Manford would bring in £100,000.
However, the total collected is more than £110,000. The additional £10,000 could pay for a family support worker for 14 weeks, working alongside families.
Lizzie Pickering, inset, whose son Harry was cared for by the hospice and who organises the event with Kate Day, said: “It’s absolutely great, we are really pleased.
“It really is brilliant considering that in early December we didn’t even know who was going to be in the show.”
It was the first time Childish Things, now in its eighth year, had included a music night.
Mrs Pickering said: “The show was better than we could have ever imagined.
“Lots of people are emailing us saying please let’s do another music night. Next year I’m pretty sure it will include a music night.”
Jamie Cullum said: “I’ve been hearing about it for many years and I really wanted to support it.
“You can tell the money is raised by very passionate, genuine people.”
For the first time people were asked to text in donations during the shows, with £7,698 in total raised via text donations.
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