POORLY children and their families enjoyed a day out at an animal park.

Children, families and friends walked or wheeled themselves around the Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford, for the Helen & Douglas House ‘Walk and Whiz’.

Sponsorship raised about £1,500 for the East Oxford children’s hospice , while the event also raised awareness of the work the charity does.

Hospice spokesman Lin Beekar said: “It was mainly for the families to enjoy a day out and it was really good to raise awareness.”

The charity set up a marquee in the park on Saturday, where there was a magician, Star Wars characters and an animal mask competition.

Ms Beekar said: “It was a fantastic day – a lovely setting and really nice.

“We had lots of patients and their families – and other families that were at the park anyway joined in.”