CHILDREN at an Oxford respite centre have been given 15,000 more reasons to celebrate Christmas.

Viking House, in Headington, received a £15,000 donation to help stimulate disabled youngsters.

Most of the money, donated by Abingdon-based petrol additives company Infineum, has been spent on new state-of-the-art sensory equipment.

Staff, volunteers and families gathered for a carol service to celebrate the unveiling of the new equipment on Wednesday.

Caroline Farmer, deputy manager at the Barnardo’s-run centre in Saxon Way, said: “It is wonderful; it is really going to help the children.

“It’s fantastic because it can stimulate some children, but also relax others, so it works for everyone.”

Viking House was opened in February 2007 and now provides care for 33 families.

It offers short-break care for up to six children at a time, offering parents and carers much-needed respite.

Enjoying the carols were Marian and David Brown from Abingdon, with their daughters Nicola, 16, and Kirsty, 12.

Mrs Brown said: “Nicola has severe learning difficulties and started coming to the centre in about March or April for respite one weekend every month.

“It has been invaluable to us as a family, allowing us time to spend together as a couple and recharge our batteries.

“It also gives us time to spend time with Kirsty and give her a bit of normality, as a lot of our time is dedicated to Nicola.”

She added: “The staff are so lovely, we never have any qualms about leaving her here, and she’ll benefit a lot from the new equipment.”

Infineum technologist Dirk Schwaebisch said: “We have raised this money all year, by running cake stalls, raffles, bake stalls and things.

“Viking House was our ‘charity of the year’, so basically lots of little fundraisers have added up to make a big pot of money.

“We’re really happy to see how it has been spent.”