FAMILIES of sick children who have been helped by an Oxford centre met its Royal ambassador to mark its 20th birthday.

Headington’s CLIC Court offers free accommodations for families of youngsters being treated for cancer at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Lady Helen Taylor visited the Jack Straw’s Lane centre – run by cancer charity CLIC Sargent – last Thursday.

Among those who met Lady Taylor – daughter of the Duchess of Kent – was London’s Claire Kemp, and daughter Livvy, five, who is undergoing chemotherapy.

She said: “CLIC Court is a fantastic facility that allows the family to relax and to do every-day things like watch the X-Factor or read magazines when they are going through such a difficult time.”