Oxford Mail readers are being reminded to vote to give local charities a share of a huge £128,000 cash giveaway.
Our parent company’s charitable arm, The Gannett Foundation, is providing £128,000 in cash, to support local charities across the country and the Oxford Mail is delighted to have a £16,000 share to give away in our area.
After being nominated by readers, 10 charities from across the region have been selected for the grant scheme, with three based in Oxfordshire.
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Oxsrad, Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh) and The Gatehouse now all the chance to get a cut of the £16,000 in funding.
Oxsrad in Marston is the only sport and recreation centre for disabled users in the region and is in danger of closing due to a lack of council funding.
As a result of the Covid and refugee crises, Assisted Reading for Children says there is a vastly increased need for reading support.
The Gatehouse in Oxford supports the needs of the homeless community around the city with food, showers and personal support. It also provides a safe space for people to come and chat with peers.
Until the closing date of Sunday, November 20, readers will be invited to collect tokens from our newspapers which can then be handed in at collection points across our region or posted.
Each token collected will then be used to allocate cash to the nominated charity - so if your favourite charity collects 50 per cent of all to tokens collected, it will receive 50 per cent of the £16,000.
There are collection boxes for the tokens at Sainsbury Kidlington; Exeter Hall, Kidlington; Tesco Kidlington; West Kidlington Primary School; Coles Book Shop, Bicester; and Emmanuel Church/Café, Bicester.
You can also send your token to: Julie Bolton, Cash for Charities, Redhill House, 227 London Road, Worcester.
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Regional editor Andrew Colley said earlier: “We know the last year has been tough for people right across our community and now is time to give back.
“Every day we get to hear of the amazing work Oxfordshire charities do for people in all walks of life. By nominating and then casting your votes over the next couple of weeks, you can help make a real difference. This is a great initiative and one I’d encourage you to get behind. If you know a local charity that you think is deserving, then please let us know.”
In 2021, two Oxfordshire charities received vital funds from the giveaway. Funds were divided between SeeSaw, who received £4,305.12, and Asylum Welcome, which received £1,212.12. Speaking last year, Asylum Welcome director Mark Goldring said: “We appreciate the generosity of the donors and the Mail’s readers.
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“The grant will help us support the newly arrived Afghan families staying in Oxfordshire over the holiday period, make sure the children have outings and presents, and help everyone to continue to prepare for life and work in the UK.”
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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