A HOUSING association raised more than £6,000 for an Oxford children's hospice during a year of fundraising.

Cottsway Housing raised £6,209 for Helen & Douglas House through several activities, including dress-down days and cake sales.

The total would enable the medical team to care for children visiting the hospice for a week.

Helen & Douglas House helps terminally ill babies, children and young people and was Cottsway's charity of the year for 2018/19.

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Rupert Welply, an income officer at Cottsway and part of the fundraising committee, said: “We’re delighted to be giving this money to Helen & Douglas House, which was chosen as Cottsway’s Charity of the Year by staff vote.

“Staff have all got behind the charity and have generously given their time and money to support fundraising events.

"It’s great to know that the money will help to fund really worthwhile work and help to make a difference.”

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Alison Hooker, community fundraising manager at Helen & Douglas House, said: “This will help local families with local terminally ill children make the most of the time they have together.

"We need to raise £3m a year and we could not provide the vital care we give our families at the hospice or are home without wonderful supporters like Cottsway.”

Suicide prevention organisation Papyrus UK is Cottsway's chosen charity for 2019/20.