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Playing our part... our supporters and volunteers


It costs over £12,000 each day to run the two hospice houses. We are dependent on voluntary contributions for over 80% of this, which means each minute of your time given, or £1 raised, directly helps the young people who visit us live life to the full even when that life is short. Everything you do really does make a difference!


In 2009/2010...


● At 31st March 2010, there were over 650 regular volunteers helping in the care team, supporting fundraising and finance, tending the gardens and working across the charity’s 28 shops


● The financial value over the year of help provided by our volunteers was estimated at £384,000


● The charity’s patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall visited Helen & Douglas House in June 2009, and hosted a wonderful reception at Clarence House a month later. On 9th December, a group of Helen House children helped Her Royal Highness to decorate the Clarence House Christmas Tree


● 1,200 participants dressed as Santa and ran through Oxford city centre and Cornbury Park in the Cotswolds, raising money for the hospice


● Childish Things 6, Helen & Douglas House’s annual comedy night, welcomed a whole host of comedians, including Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones, Jason Manford, Rory Bremner and Graham Norton, raising £47,000


● Regular giving increased by 16% to £445,222


● Helen & Douglas House received 34 legacies; the smallest gift was £100, the largest gift was £91,000


85,000 miles were covered by supporters running, walking, cycling and driving their way towards raising over £300,000


Our gardening volunteers Green fingered volunteers


Helen & Douglas House is incredibly lucky to have a team of dedicated gardeners who keep the hospice’s grounds looking wonderful all year round, whatever the weather.


“The volunteer gardening team aims to provide a pleasant environment in all garden areas for the guests, their families and not forgetting the staff. In each of the gardens there is a challenge to ensure, as far as possible, something is in colour for each month of the year. During the winter months we review all the gardens and discuss which areas need to be improved and thus provide a plan for the forthcoming year.


Various corporate volunteer teams provide us with additional help at busy times of the year such as the changeover from Winter to Summer when they plant up the pots and flowerbeds with lots of colour. The gardens give a great deal of pleasure to the families and are places where they can go and play with their children, as well as relax.” Philip Hine, volunteer at Helen & Douglas House


Helen & Douglas House Playing our part Annual Review 2009/2010


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