A teenager with a sweet tooth has raised hundreds of pounds for an Oxford hospice.

Leah Graham, of Bescot Drive, Abingdon, invented a new flavour of fudge to raise money for Helen & Douglas House in East Oxford, as a way of showing gratitude for her care.

Leah’s banana and vanilla invention has now raised almost £1,000 for the charity, enough to pay for 32 hours’ nursing.

The 13-year-old was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a life-shortening disease that destroys lung tissue, when she was just three months old.

She has been receiving respite care from Helen & Douglas House since she was four.

When the hospice was approached by Fudge Kitchen, a new shop in Broad Street, Oxford, and invited to invent their own flavour, staff knew exactly the right girl for the job.

Leah, a pupil at Fitz- harrys School, said she is known for being a big fan of sweets and fudge.

She said: “I decided to make a banana split-inspired flavour.

“It was just a way of saying thank-you and returning the favour for everything they have done for me.”

Leah’s grandmother Renee Jeacock, of Sherwood Avenue, Abingdon, accompanied the teenager as she handed over £900 to the charity at the Fudge Kitchen on Wednesday.

She spoke of her granddaughter’s bravery through her illness, which has seen her spend up to two weeks in hospital at a time, and paid tribute to the hospice.

She said: “They have been very supportive.

“It can put a lot of pressure on the family when Leah’s been in hospital, but when she’s in Helen House, she is happy.

“I was hesitant at first, but when we saw Helen & Douglas house it was just amazing, You can’t believe you’re in a hospice at all. It feels like a home.”

The Helen & Douglas House Banana and Vanilla fudge first went on sale before Christmas.

Store manager Dave Fin, 22, said the shop had prepared three batches, only to sell out and have to prepare three more.

He said: “We had people coming in and asking for the ‘charity fudge’.”

Jennifer Hudson, a fundraising manager for Helen & Douglas House, said: “It’s astounded everyone how much the fudge has raised.

“We are very proud of Leah.“ awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk