HE ENDURED 20 days of jungle hardship but last week Jason Donovan saw first hand how his efforts have been helping sick children at Oxford Children's Hospital.

The former Neighbours star toured the wards of the £30m hospital, part of the £130m West Wing at the John Radcliffe, in Headington, last Friday, after handing over £36,778.60 raised by viewers voting in last year's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here.

The 38-year-old met about a dozen youngsters on Tom's Ward and said he was proud to have been able to help the hospital, which opened in January.

Among those he met was 15-month-old Laney Smith, who was facing her first dose of chemotherapy for a neuroblastoma cancer.

He said: "See you, little chicken. It breaks my heart, but at least you are in the right place."

Mr Donovan also met 15-year-old Robert Holland, who has a rare tumour from which only three people in the UK are suffering.

After questioning Robert about his favourite sport, rugby, Mr Donovan said to him: "Keep smiling. Good for you, mate."

He also signed autographs for patients and told The Oxford Times: "It has been humbling for me to convert my experience in the jungle into something good.

"The staff here do a wonderful job and you can only do a wonderful job with good facilities.

"I hope that nearly £40,000 will make a big difference to what the staff here are trying to achieve. It's nice to make a difference."

He toured the hospital with his partner Angela Mallock. The couple have a house in the Wantage area.

The singer said he supported the children's hospital because he and Angela are parents themselves - they have two children, Jemma, seven, and Zac, six.

Last December, the soap actor-turned singer came third in the reality TV show. Every time viewers texted or phoned in a vote for Jason, 10p was allocated to Chox - which was his chosen charity.

Lauren Blake, 33, and Jon Blake, 32, from Headington, met Mr Donovan after their 19-month-old son Quinn received treatment after suffering a fit in the night.

"We thought we were going to lose him at one point - I have no doubt the staff here saved his life," said mother-of-three Mrs Blake.

Mr Blake added: "It's fantastic what Jason is doing and I'm going to put my name down for a sponsored abseil in September, because I want to do something to say thank you."

More than £13m has been raised towards a £15m fundraising target for Chox.