TWO Oxfordshire MPs spoke of the love and “wonderful” care hospices gave their families as they helped launch a week dedicated to the vital centres.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith told of his “close personal experience”with Sobell House, which had cared for his wife Val, who died in May from cancer.

He was among staff, supporters and patients of Sobell House, Helen and Douglas House, Katharine House Hospice and the Sue Ryder Nettlebed Hospice, gathered to welcome the launch of National Hospice Care Week.

For each hospice it is a chance to celebrate their work and praise their supporters and tell the world about what they do.

Mr Smith said: “I not only know about about the value of hospices in the community through knowledge across the years, but have close personal experience.

“My wife sadly died in Sobell House in May. I saw upfront that care – the wonderful care – and just how much difference they can make in the most impossibly difficult time in our lives.”

He urged people to continue their “strong support” for the county’s hospices.

Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron led celebrations. In a recorded message he said hospices were “havens” in the community Mr Cameron said he would “never forget” the time he and his wife Samantha spent at Helen House with their son Ivan, who died aged six in 2009.

Joining the event at Helen and Douglas House was Victoria Holliday, 39, and her daughter Jessica Newell, 21 months, from High Wycombe, who receive respite care at Helen House. She said: “Helen House gives you a chance to be a mum and not a carer.

“You can really switch off and someone else can do the feeding and medication.”

Also supporting the event was Douglas House patient Elysia Havard, 21, who travels from Wendover for respite care.

She described Douglas House as “brilliant” and of its staff: “They always cheer me up.”

This was the first time the four hospices had joined forces to mark hospice week.

Dr Mary Miller, clinical lead at Sobell House, said National Hospice Care Week was a chance to “raise the profile in the community and to say thank you to people and encourage them to continue to support us”.

The focus for the future for Sobell will be on extending their services.