Oxford's generous fundraisers have been offered a hearty pat on the back after helping Helen & Douglas House bank £4.8m in a year.

Founder Sister Frances Dominica has applauded the thousands of people who have helped the east Oxford hospice celebrate its 25th year in style.

Thanks to dozens of events, the charity has exceeded its annual fundraising target, raking in £4.8m - although the two hospices in Leopold Street and Magdalen Road cost more than £4m to run each year.

Sister Frances said: "It was beyond all our expectations, it was just wonderful.

"Perhaps the most important thing was the affirmation from so many families thanking us for being there - after all, that is what it is about.

"After all the amazing events, what matters most to me is the people who came back for our celebration service in Christ Church Cathedral."

The celebration year began in April last year, with the actual anniversary being on November 15. Events went on until the end of March this year.

The Duchess of Cornwall became the charity's patron and visited the hospices, then invited guests at the two houses to help decorate her Christmas tree at Clarence House.

And she was joined by her husband, the Prince of Wales, for the year's final big event, a celebration concert at St John's, in Smiths Square, London.

The year was also marked by a visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and the hospice was the subject of a BBC documentary, The Children of Helen House.

Sister Frances said: "It is a huge milestone for us, but we cannot sit back and admire it.

"We are now into the next chapter. We have got new families coming to us all the time as well as lots of old friends.

"The last year has definitely raised awareness and while we did not do any of it in order to raise funds, that has been a wonderful end product."

Helen & Douglas House chief executive Tom Hill said: "In the last 12 months Helen & Douglas House has reflected on and celebrated the results of all the good work of many people over the past 25 years.

"The needs of the children, young people and their families are, however, greater today than at any time since the charity was established.

"Those of us charged with steering Helen & Douglas House towards its half-century must ensure that the charity can continue to address those needs, not just in a special year, but year in year out.

"For this to happen we need to build on the amazing support that our community has given support that is greatly appreciated and which can never be taken for granted."