AN Oxfordshire house builder is inviting people to spread festive cheer this year with Helen and Douglas House children's hospice.

Leading housebuilder Linden Homes, which is currently building a new housing development in Hawkswood in Bicester, is now inviting schools, businesses and residents to help the Oxford charity by donating gifts.

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The housebuilder is asking for donations and gifts which it will then deliver to the hospice to give to the terminally-ill children and their families this Christmas.

Helen and Douglass House is a hospice that aims to improve the lives of local terminally-ill children and their families from Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas, at home, in hospital and at its residential base in East Oxford.

The hospice has put together a wish list for the donations. The list includes colouring books, party bag filler toys and also anti-slip socks.

Finley, aged 11, lives in Bicester with his mum Michaela, his dad and his sister Lucie and has been attending Helen and Douglas House for 10 years for respite stays so he can relax and play.

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Finley has multiple medical problems which have caused problems with growth and development and his metabolism.

His mum summed up what Helen and Douglas House meant for her and her family and said: “It’s a little taste of heaven. They’re wonderful. I can’t thank them enough for what they offer.”

The gifts should be dropped off with Linden homes staff at Hawkswood off Pioneer Road in Bicester by December 11 so the they staff there can hand-deliver the gifts.