“I DON’T know what we would have done without it”.

Those are the words of one father who relies on pioneering East Oxford hospice Helen and Douglas House to provide much-needed respite care for her young son.

Yesterday the hospice launched a year of celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of the opening of Helen House, which was then the world’s first children’s hospice, with 30 people joining founder Sister Frances Dominica to illustrate the care given to generations of youngsters with terminal and life-limiting conditions.

Michaela Middleton’s three-year-old son Finley has an undiagnosed condition which affects his growth and immune system.

Mrs Middleton, from Arncott, said: “It gives us quality time because we don’t need to worry about normal household things.

“If you didn’t have that help, you would probably cope in your own way, but having had it, you would miss it. It really does make a big difference.”

Marie Murray has been with the hospice since the start, first on the care team and now providing bereavement support.

She said: “It has been a very large part of my life.

“At the time, it didn’t feel like it was cutting edge – it felt like the right thing.”

One of the families she has helped has been Steve and Suzy Gibbard and their children, Patrick, 10 months, Liam, three, and Molly Beatrice, who died aged 10 months, six years ago.

After she died, the family were referred to the charity and were able to spend precious hours with their daughter in a special room at the hospice.

Mr Gibbard said: “It was so invaluable to use, it made so much difference to have that extra time with her. I don’t know what we would have done without it.

“The counselling gave us the courage to go on and have more children.”

Other events planned to mark the anniversary year include a thanksgiving service and picnic for the families the hospices serve, numerous fundraising events including a trek to India, and a travelling photo exhibition featuring 30 Helen and Douglas House families.

Among those hoping to take part in the celebrations is Rose Lakeman, 52, from Sandford-on-Thames, and her daughter Chelsea, who has a complex condition called metachromatic leukodystrophy.

Mrs Lakeman said: “It’s a lifeline basically to keep us going.

“Chelsea has so much fun here.”

Sister Frances, who also celebrates a milestone birthday this year, her 70th, is still a familiar face at the two houses.

She said: “This celebration is about marking where we are and looking back to very small beginnings, but recognising that we are always on a steep learning curve.

“The support from people is just phenomenal.”