A HOSPICE has been touched by a tide of support since taking the tough decision to close one of its two houses.

Helen & Douglas House has expressed its gratitude and sorrow weeks after announcing it will close Douglas House, its adult care centre in East Oxford, in August.

The revelation was a catalyst for donations and a widespread campaign for government funding, with almost 46,000 people signing a petition to ‘Save Douglas House’.

The Magdalen Road charity, which is struggling to afford its services, has now thanked supporters and made a fresh plea for donations.

Hazel Bedford, director of fundraising and marketing at the hospice, said the charity was ‘enormously grateful’.

But she added: “Sadly the decision to close Douglas House cannot be reversed short-term without new substantial, sustainable income annually of more than £2m.

“We need the public’s support now more than ever.”

Campaigners called for Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which commissions health services, to offer the hospice a contract.

But Ms Bedford said even if this happens, it will not be enough to scrap the closure.

She appealed to anyone who could make a monthly donation to the hospice to do so.

Ms Bedford stressed the decision to close Douglas House was ‘a last resort’ and the charity was ‘acutely aware of the impact on lives of young adults and their families’.

She said: “We do not underestimate the effect this will have – we are truly sorry.

“The choice was between closing part of the service now or doing nothing and allowing the entire service to close in a couple of years.

“Our patients have been and will always be at the heart of decision-making.”

Douglas House currently provides respite care to 90 regular patients.

The hospice has pledged to help families to find alternative care.

Among those moved by the hospice’s plight were Paul Townsend and Stuart Ryan, who have unveiled plans to zig-zag across the country on a tour of 92 football grounds.

The friends will venture inside every club ground in the top four divisions in England, with a goal to raise £92,000 for Sobell House and Helen & Douglas House.

Abingdon resident Mr Townsend, 33, said: “Lots of people have visited the 92 clubs but we are trying to get pitch-side, not just stand outside."

He will tackle the challenge with Faringdon resident Mr Ryan, 32, between August this year and May 2019 – the Premier League season.

Alison Stone, community fundraising manager at Helen & Douglas House, said a ‘massive thank you’ to the pair for their generosity.