THE family of a woman who was "always giving" said they were "overwhelmed and humbled" when Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital dedicated a room to her memory.

The Headington hospital has named its new infusion room, where patients can get blood infusions, after Julie Andrews.

Mrs Andrews was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system, in 2006.

As a result she regularly had to travel from her home in Bampton to get treatment, including infusions, at the hospital.

But in between her treatments, she found the time to volunteer for Crohn's and Colitis UK's Oxfordshire group and spent seven years inventing ways to raise cash for the charity.

Group treasurer David Lee said she organised many new and innovative ways to raise money including used Christmas present raffles and used book sales.

He added: "She was one of these people who can make things happen, she was enthusiastic and had lots of different ideas."

During her time working with the group Mrs Andrews raised more than £2,500.

But when the 51-year-died from pancreatic cancer last year she asked that mourners at her funeral donate cash to the charity, raising another £1,600.

The group has used the £4,000 she raised to buy two new chairs for patients using the hospital's new infusion room.

Her husband Martin was at the John Radcliffe Hospital on Wednesday evening to unveil the chairs and a memorial to his wife of 27 years.

Mr Andrews, 55, said his wife would have been "over the moon" at having the infusion room dedicated to her.

He added: "It was quite overwhelming really to think they have done that for Julie.

"She did do a lot of work and fundraising and it was very humbling to know that was recognised.

"It was amazing - she would be really chuffed with it."

The memorial was placed at the entrance to the new infusion room, which has been created to provide a place for patients to have inflammatory bowel disease treatments.

Mr Andrews was joined by members of the group and his wife's work colleagues at RPS consultancy, who helped raise the £1,600 after her death.

The new chairs are heavily cushioned and recline to a horizontal position so that patients with inflammatory bowel disease are comfortable during treatments such as infusions.

Depending on the condition, an infusion can take anything from a couple of hours to six to eight hours.

Mr Lee said the chairs will make treatment more comfortable for patients and was a nice memorial to Mrs Andrews.

He added: "She was such a well loved person, she was always giving.

"The memorial we have created is a fitting one and will enable her memory to live on."