A 16-YEAR-OLD girl from Didcot has asked for donations to her secret Santa appeal for terminally-ill and sick children.

Courtney Hughes is running her Christmas collection for the third year in a row.

This year she is collecting for children at Oxford’s Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice, John Radcliffe Hospital and Didcot Community Hospital.

Courtney, studying child care at Abingdon and Witney College, said: “Christmas is always a lovely family get-together in my family.

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“When my great-grandmother was ill in hospital two years ago it really upset me that she would be waking up on her own without her family around her.

“This made me think about other people who are away from loved ones at Christmas if they are ill in hospital, elderly or having a hard time. I also thought how I would feel if my sister and I were apart. This is why I do this every year.”

Last year, with the help of her eight-year-old sister Megan, Courtney collected hundreds of presents and delivered them in the week before Christmas.

This year she is also collecting presents for Didcot’s Life charity and Hanover and The Meadows care homes in the town.

Helen and Douglas House spokeswoman Lin Crowley thanked Courtney for her “lovely” gesture.

Visit tinyurl.com/l5bzyyy to give.

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