Hospice raises £44k in two weeks to repair roof

Marcus White
BBC News, South
Helen & Douglas House Edith Williams with Nurse Lucy Reilly in the sensory room. Edith is in a motorised wheelchair and holds a toy. Lucy is kneeling beside her, holding her arm. Both are smiling broadly and both have tied-back blonde hair.Helen & Douglas House
Edith Williams, 10, uses the hospice sensory room which needed roof repairs

A children's hospice has thanked supporters who gave £44,000 in two weeks for urgent roof repairs.

Helen & Douglas House said a recent inspection revealed damage to several sections of the Oxford building.

It contacted regular donors and subsequently appealed for funding in social media posts on 1 July.

Jules Foster from the hospice said the response was "phenomenal".

She said: "We would like to thank the community of supporters who have come together to raise this amazing amount of money in such a short time.

"It costs £6m a year to deliver our services and 87% of the funds we need come from the general public."

The hospice, which opened in 1982, said individuals donated up to £5,000 each to the Fix the Roof appeal.

It said the money would protect play areas including the conservatory and the sensory room for another 40 years.