DAVID Cameron has sent out a heartfelt thank-you to people who donated almost £7,000 to Oxford’s Helen and Douglas House in memory of his son.

The Witney MP and Conservative Party leader was delighted to hear that £6,816 had been donated to the East Oxford hospice for children and young adults, as he turned out to officially open the charity’s 23rd shop, in Carterton.

Mr Cameron chose the Magdalen Road hospice along with four other organisations as charities his family would like donations to go to, following the death of six-year-old Ivan in February.

The appeal resulted in 52 separate donations to the hospice.

Mr Cameron said: “I would just like to say a big thank-you to those that have given donations.

“The money will be very well spent. For the parents of disabled children, Helen and Douglas House is an invaluable resource.

“Not only does it provide a place where their children can go and get help, it also gives them a break – which is important.”

Mr Cameron said he had not known the exact figure until he was told by the Oxford Mail yesterday.

“It’s a huge amount – I hadn’t known how much,” he said.

The Camerons used Helen and Douglas House for respite care.

Mr Cameron added: “Locally, I think people were keen to give to them. They don’t get a penny of Government money and everyone knows that anything they give will be put to good use by them.

“I’m really pleased.”

Mr Cameron’s son, who suffered from severe cerebral palsy and a rare form of epilepsy, died after being taken ill suddenly.

Lin Beekar, communications manager for Helen and Douglas House, said: “We’ve had an amazing reaction and it’s been great to receive those donations, especially at a time when it’s not always easy for people to donate.

“What we find is there is an amazing feel-good factor about Helen and Douglas House.

“Whether it’s someone famous or someone who visits Helen and Douglas House, their friends and family really respond and help us.

“The important thing to remember is that we rely solely on charitable donations, so anything people give is always welcomed enormously.”

Mr Cameron also took the opportunity to again thank all those that had written to him and his wife after Ivan’s death.

He said: “We had something like 11,500 letters and cards, and we hugely appreciative to all those that took the time to contact us.”