HELEN and Douglas House, the East Oxford hospice for children and young adults who have life- shortening illnesses, has launched a catalogue of alternative gifts.

The charity, which provides respite and end of life care for families with terminally ill children, has followed in the footsteps of many development charities, such as Oxfam, with the fundraising idea.

The hospice has put together a list of the items that are most important for its users and which the charity does not get very much funding for.

To order a gift visit the shopping section on www.helenanddouglas.org.uk or call 01865 794749.