A charity which supports vulnerable young people has been nominated for an Oxford University support scheme.

SOFEA (South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance) has been shortlisted for this year’s University of Oxford Student Union RAG Ballot, also known as the Oxford SU RAG Ballot.

The organisation, focused on the wellbeing of youth, now awaits the collective decision of the approximately 24,000 students able to cast their votes in the student union.

Voting on the RAG Ballot began on February 5 at 8am, alongside the Oxford SU Leadership Elections, and will close on February 8 at 6pm.

After the voting period, the two local charities having received the most votes are declared the winners.

Every year, the RAG Charity Ballot, conducted in Hilary Term, supports four charities—two local charities and two international or national ones.

To qualify as a local charity, the organisation has to be based in Oxfordshire and conduct most of their work in the region.

The winning charities will share RAG’s fundraising profits for the academic year, from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025.

SOFEA recently received a visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla at its Didcot site to launch their Coronation Food Project alongside FareShare UK and The Felix Project.

Richard Kennell, CEO at SOFEA: “We were delighted and honoured to host their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla."