A CHARITY set up in memory of a one-year-old boy who died last year has given breakthrough technology to the Oxford Children’s Hospital after raising thousands of pounds.

Oscar Cole died in June 2014 when he contracted encephalitis, which causes inflammation to the brain, and his parents set up a charity to improve children’s experiences in hospital.

Thinking of Oscar raised more than £12,000 for four vein-finders to help nurses give blood tests to children.

The technology given to the hospital on Monday will help nurses locate veins and make life easier for children needing blood tests.

David Cole, 35, said: “I saw the technology being used in other hospitals and it was something that would have made a difference to Oscar’s time in hospital.

“We hope it will have a real improvement for children receiving cannulations and blood tests.”

The youngster was being treated for a bone infection in hospital before he contracted the encephalitis.

His parents Hannah and David, who have two other children, Holly, five, and six-month-old Barney, then set up the charity.

After a charity cricket weekend in June, friends, family and local firms such as Lotus F1 gave money to the vein-finding project.

The charity raised more than double its target and bought four devices rather than two, which they gave to the hospital on Monday.

Mr Cole said: “It wasn’t a euphoric moment for us as it’s always difficult going back to the hospital.

“Every moment we are not at work or with the children we spend on the charity. Now it’s on to the next project.

“We set up the charity as we wanted to do something in Oscar’s memory. Although he only lived for 16 months he was a real character and touched a lot of people.

“We wanted to continue in his name and have his legacy live longer than he did.”

Consultant paediatrician Dr Janet Craze is enthusiastic about the devices, which should make the process less daunting for children.

She said: “We previously used something called a cold light to identify veins in babies but they aren’t suitable for toddlers.

“For any ill child, a blood test can be one of the most distressing parts of being in hospital. ”

Thinking of Oscar is raising money for a new Paediatrics Procedures Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

More than £60,000 has already been donated towards the £100,000 target.