CHILDREN from Helen & Douglas House joined Cam-illa, Duchess of Cornwall, for sausages and mash and to decorate the royal Christmas tree.

Twelve families who use the East Oxford hospice were invited to Clarence House in London to spend time with the Duchess, who has been a patron of the charity since 2007.

Among them were Andrew and Kay Lyon, from Wootton, near Abingdon, and their daughter Sienna, three, who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy.

The couple, also parents to 10-year-old Jamie and Ella, eight, told the Duchess of the support the charity had given them in looking after Sienna, who suffers from regular seizures and is unable to walk or talk.

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Mrs Lyon said: “Helen House has been remarkable and the care they give Sienna is just unparalleled.

“It is something we never expected, and has opened up a whole new life for us.

“We don’t know how long we will have Sienna with us, so this is about helping us to create some very happy and special memories. Today has been huge part of that.”

The Duchess welcomed the children in her drawing room, along with an assistant equerry from the Welsh Guards, Captain Fred Lloyd George, in his uniform.

She helped them choose several decorations each and carefully placed them on the Christmas tree.

During a tea of sausages and mash, chocolate Christmas trees and decorated biscuits, the Duchess helped to hand plates around the table.

She told the group: “It’s lovely to see you all and I hope you have enjoyed yourselves.

“This is one of my favourite things to do each year and seeing your faces as the door opens is magical.

“Helen & Douglas House is a wonderful, uplifting place. Everyone should visit it.”

Chief operating officer Clare Edwards said: “It’s such a unique day, so special. It makes the children feel so worthy and special and important.

“It’s a real privilege to have the Duchess as our patron. She takes such an interest in the work we do and her patronage helps to shine a light on children’s palliative care.”

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