OXFORD’s children’s hospice is throwing open its doors tomorrow to raise awareness of its work.

Helen & Douglas House is holding its annual open day to let people from across the county drop in, find out more about it and have some fun along the way.

The Magdalen Road hospice was the world’s first to specialise in the care of children and now also cares for young adults with life-limiting conditions.

The open day will feature live music, magicians, miniature ponies, face painting and birds of prey, a Punch and Judy show and a “mocktail” bar.

Hospice spokesman Lin Beekar said: “It was a lovely day last year and about 600 people turned up.

“It is an awareness raising event so the focus is not on fundraising but about letting people know about the work of the hospice and see what the environment is like.

“Some of the people who come to the open day will be supporters already and some of them will become supporters.

"Some local people might want to know what the place is like.

“A lot of people have preconceptions of hospices and the open day is a way for them to experience the environment.

“It is all pretty much open. People can look at our art rooms or music rooms. But it is also really fun.”

The open day is being held during staff training week so both houses will only be open for emergencies.

The hospice needs £4.5m to run each year, with most of this coming from donations.

Opened in 1982, Helen House was the world’s first children’s hospice. It was followed by Douglas House in 2004, which is specifically for young adults aged between 16 and 35.

The two houses care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions and supports their families as well as offering specialist symptom and pain management and medically-supported short breaks.

There is no charge to any families using either house.

The open day runs from 10am to 4pm.

For more information, call the fundraising team on 01865 799150 or email fundraising@ helenanddouglas.org.uk