Christmas is often our busiest time of year.
We are likely to support at least 71 seriously unwell children in ways you would never expect.
Your donation makes a difference
You could help change a child’s Christmas
We need to raise £66,000 to help fund the total cost of care this Christmas.
Total raised so far: £56,959
Christmas is often our busiest time of year
We are likely to support at least 71 seriously unwell children in ways you would never expect.
More children than ever need hospice care.
Last year we supported 280 young people and their families across all our services. Based on national predictions, this number is likely to rise*.
Over the Christmas period, our care team will go above and beyond to make our hospice feel like home, even at a time when that might feel impossible.
But we can’t do it without your help. Your kindness has the power to transform a child’s Christmas in a place no family expects to be.
Will you help us by donating today?
Nicole’s Christmas was filled with unexpected joy
Our duck is inspired by Nicole, a bright, academic teenager who aspired to be an astrophysicist. At 14, she was diagnosed with an incurable Glioma (spinal and brain tumour) and came to the hospice soon after for respite stays. In 2023, as Christmas approached, it became clear that Nicole was nearing the end of her life, and a stay at the hospice was organised for her and her large, extended family.
Knowing Nicole’s immense passion for ducks, a nurse covered her room in them so that when she woke up on Christmas morning her room was full to the brim.
Small, unexpected touches like these are how the team at Helen & Douglas House go above and beyond to make our hospice feel like home for families facing the unimaginable.
“We were all there, in a room filled with ducks and love and joy. It was beautiful – perfectly beautiful.”
– Bethan, Nicole’s Mum
Help us deliver vital, unexpected care this Christmas
£24
could help cover the cost of meals for a family staying at Helen & Douglas House
£36
could help fund a nurse to deliver unexpected care this Christmas
£62
could help cover the cost of an overnight stay for a child like Nicole
FAQs
What is the “An Unexpected Christmas” appeal?
The An Unexpected Christmas appeal is a donation appeal organised by Helen & Douglas House that aims to raise £66,000 to help fund the total cost of care at our hospice this Christmas.
Christmas is often our busiest time of year, and based on national predictions, the number of children we care for in the future is likely to rise*. Over the Christmas period, our care team will go above and beyond to make our hospice feel like home, even at a time when that might feel impossible.
We’re asking our community to donate today so together, we can give very unwell children and their families a Christmas filled with joy, in a place they never expected to be.
*Make Every Child Count, Estimating current and future prevalence of children and young people with life-limiting conditions in the United Kingdom. Study conducted by Professor Lorna Fraser at the Martin House Research Centre, University of York, published February 2020.
How will my donation to this appeal be used?
Can I donate over the phone or by post?
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
If you’d prefer to send us a donation via post, please send your cheque addressed to ‘Helen & Douglas House’ along with an accompanying letter to:
Fundraising
Helen & Douglas House
14a Magdalen Road,
Oxford,
OX4 1RW
What is the total cost of care over Christmas?
Why do we have a target of £66,000 for this appeal?
The target has been based on what we’ve been able to achieve through our previous Christmas appeals and adding in hoped for income from our other Christmas fundraising activities. We hope to reach the £66,000 target through donations to this appeal, our Christmas concert ticket sales and donations, as well as donations made to our online Tree of Light dedication page.
It’s an ambitious yet achievable goal that will make a meaningful contribution to the overall cost of care, as well as all other areas of our work. Every donation can help give very unwell children and their families a Christmas filled with joy, in a place they never expected to be.
Why are you predicting to support at least 71 seriously unwell children this Christmas?
Why is the number of children expected to need hospice care likely to rise?
*Make Every Child Count, Estimating current and future prevalence of children and young people with life-limiting conditions in the United Kingdom. Study conducted by Professor Lorna Fraser at the Martin House Research Centre, University of York, published February 2020.
How can I support this appeal in memory of a loved one?
How can I attend the Helen & Douglas House Christmas concert?
We will be holding our annual Christmas concert on Monday 24th November 2025 at Christ Church Cathedral in central Oxford. This event is now sold out, but we can’t wait to see you on the night if you have already purchased a ticket.
You can find more information about Christmas concert here.
What is the deadline to make a donation to this appeal?
What happens to donations received after the target has been reached?
I forgot to Gift Aid my donation, is it too late?
How else can I get involved in Helen & Douglas House?
We also have an incredible group of volunteers that generously give up their time to help our in our shops, offices, events and so much more. Find out more here
I need help with my donation or have another query
