THE launch of a new book telling the life stories of Oxfordshire celebrities will raise vital funds for Sobell House hospice in Oxford.

Writer Sylvia Vetta is releasing her third and final instalment of the Oxford Castaways series at an official launch on Thursday at Oxford University's Mathematical Institute, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to Sobell House, which cares for people in the county living with terminal illness.

The Castaway series originally featured in the Limited Edition magazine of The Oxford Times, in which Mrs Vetta interviewed well-known people from around the county and asked them which items they would take with them to a desert island.

More than 30 interviews are featured in the final book in the series, plus six interviews with Sobell House staff including nurse Katy Hunt.

Mrs Vetta, from Kennington, said: "My Castaways are not marooned alone on a desert island – what they have in common is a link to Oxfordshire.

"I have been privileged to interview some truly inspirational people.

"Since the third and final instalment is being sold in aid of Sobell House I also told the story of six people who work at the hospice, asking them to reflect on this wonderful place."

As part of the event there will be an auction of art donated by artists including Moyra Bannister, Korky Paul, and Weimin He.

As well as donating sales proceeds to Sobell House, Mrs Vetta was keen to dedicate the book to the hospice in memory of her friend and Castaway Rebecca Allison, a regular volunteer at the hospice. She died last year aged 47.

Guests will include Sir Roger Bannister and Lady Moyra Bannister, broadcaster Bill Heine and sculptor John Buckley, who made the infamous Headington roof shark, poet and performer Euton Daley, Sister Frances Dominica, the founder of Helen and Douglas House hospice, Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, and paint company boss Annie Sloan.

Rev Charlotte Bannister Parker, the first woman in charge of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in 1,000 years, who is Sir Roger and Lady Moyra's daughter, will compere the event.

Dominique Cadiou, head of fundraising at Sobell House, said: "We’re delighted to be chosen as the beneficiary of the latest Castaways instalment.

"The series of books are a fascinating collection of people’s lives and they help to unlock the imagination.

"Many people who are experiencing a tough time through illness need as a way of escaping the difficulties of real life."

Oxford Castaways 3 is published by Oxfordfolio, price £10.

THE Oxford Mail has launched an appeal to help raise funds for Sobell House and thanks to the generosity of our readers more than £4,000 has been collected so far.

The appeal is aiming to fund 100 days of care by raising £40,000 in donations from across the community.

This forms part of the hospice's efforts to raise £4m over four years for a new dementia-friendly clinic and garden annex at the hospice, which is based at the Churchill Hospital.

Since opening its doors in 1976 Sobell House has cared for more than 100,000 people across the county.

It costs £400 a day to care for a patient on the ward and 400 volunteers provide essential support to patients and their families.

To donate text 'OMSH 76' and the amount to 70070 or visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/shhc/oxmailsobellappeal