A CHILDREN'S hospice in Oxford has been chosen of one of four charities to receive help from a new foundation set up by Captain Sir Tom Moore.

The 100-year-old, who raised raised £39m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden during lockdown, launched the The Captain Tom Foundation with his family to carry on his legacy.

Helen & Douglas House was announced along with the Royal British Legion, mental health charity Mind and Willen Hospice.

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Chief executive Clare Periton, said she was 'thrilled' the East Oxford has been chosen, saying: "Captain Sir Tom Moore has been an inspiration to all of us this year and we look forward to working with the foundation to raise vital funds to help us care for local terminally ill children and families facing the unimaginable loss of a child."

She added: "Our income has been significantly affected due to the temporary closure of our charity shops during the lockdown and the cancellation of many fundraising events due to social distancing guidelines.

"We hope people will continue to support Captain Sir Tom Moore to help us to care for families in their darkest days and give them hope for the future’."

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The charity has continued to care for local terminally ill children and their families throughout the pandemic providing care to families in Helen & Douglas House and increased the amount of care at home they provide when it hasn’t been possible to come to the hospice.

Nadia Slatch, whose three-year-old son Rayyan has been receiving care at the hospice attended the launch of the foundation.

Oxford Mail:

Rayyan at Helen & Douglas House

She said: "Helen & Douglas House have been wonderful during lockdown providing 24 hour help over the phone and acute symptom management during difficult times which has helped us immensely, while avoiding admission into hospital.

"The Helen & Douglas House outreach team were equally reassuring when needing advice especially as they were unable to visit at home in lockdown.

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"Not only did they provide symptom care, but we also were hand delivered lovely hamper boxes which made a huge difference when we were shielding and needed basic supplies."

She added: "I am always grateful for everything but the pandemic proved that Helen & Douglas House were always there for us."