THEATREGOERS who packed out Oxford's New Theatre to watch stars of the comedy circuit have raised about £40,000 for a children's hospice.

More than 1,800 comedy fans were at the theatre in George Street on Sunday night to watch stars including Stephen Fry, Alan Davies, Rory Grath, Harry Enfield and Jimmy Carr at Childish Things 3.

The event raised money for Helen and Douglas House hospices, which care for children and young adults with life-limiting illnesses.

Organisers were originally hoping that 1,000 people would buy £20 tickets this year and were stunned when the show sold out so quickly.

Lizzie Pickering, whose son Harry died aged six from a form of muscular dystrophy in 2000, was one of the event organisers, and said this year's show was a resounding success.

She added: "Some of the celebrities have busy filming schedules and it was astonishing how they all gave up their time on a Sunday.

"We discussed the running order beforehand with director Ben Kellett, but the performers only had a couple of hours to rehearse after getting into the theatre and everything went so smoothly - nobody missed a line.

"Backstage, the stars mixed in with the local acts - Jimmy Carr was talking to Ally Craig about music - and it was a great atmosphere, with everyone chipping in together.

"Some of the celebrities had been in Cambridge Footlights, so they enjoyed talking to the students in the Oxford Revue team.

"The audience ranged from eight to 82, so we wanted a programme which would have a broad appeal for an Oxford audience.

"Some performers questioned why we didn't have higher ticket prices because there were so many acts on the bill, but we wanted to give people a night to remember and value for money.

"The ripple effect of this night does a great deal in terms of raising awareness about Helen House. We should have raised about £40,000.

"Stephen Fry was so helpful - he was completely unstarry all day long, but then they all were."

Mrs Pickering thanked staff at the New Theatre for working for free on the night, and the theatre is donating its profits from the bar and ice cream takings to Helen House.

Harry Enfield removed his sweaty shirt for auction and raised an extra £100, which could not match the several thousand pounds raised when actor Jude Law did the same at last year's show.

Tickets are already on sale for next year's event on Sunday, April 20, also priced £20.

Mrs Pickering added that after next year, Childish Things would take place every other year in order to avoid a clash with Comic Relief.

"Catherine Tate had agreed to come this year, but unfortunately she had to do some filming for Comic Relief instead," she added. "It was a fantastic night all round and now we can start preparing the show for next year."