charities have been given a boost to the tune of more than £5,000 thanks to Creation Theatre Company.

The Oxford-based drama group donated the proceeds of one of its performances of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to 17 worthwhile causes.

Charities in the county can apply for a grant of up to £500 each via the Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA).

Assisted Reading for Children in Oxfordshire (ARCh), an organisation which helps children with reading difficulties, enjoyed a £472 windfall to help youngsters with their reading skills, while the Homeless Action Group received £485 to help their projects.

Jane Rendle, of ARCh, said: “Many more children in the county will develop a positive view of reading, which will have an impact on their attitude to learning in general and therefore their overall life chances.”

Creation, which stages its plays at various sites across the city, has run the scheme for several years and plans to hold future shows to continue helping out charities.

Cheryl Pearce, marketing and sales manager at Creation Theatre, said: “It is heart-warming to hear our support has been used for such a positive puropse.

“In addition to producing shows, we work with children aged five to 16 in our drama workshops so we have seen how discovering literature can be inspiring, confidence building and hugely enjoyable. We are thrilled to be able to find another way of achieving our aim of sharing stories with people of all ages.”

OCVA decided what charities would benefit from the money.

John Gardiner, marketing and communications officer at OCVA, said: “Yet again we have seen an example of how one group’s generosity can snowball into helping hundreds of people.

“OCVA are proud to manage the grants pot on behalf of Creation Theatre Company, and of all the groups helping residents in Oxfordshire.”

The other charities to benefit are: Alison Margaret Association, Art at the Gate House, BK LWO, Didcot Volunteers Centre, Eve, Fouden Dramatic Society, Focus Bombay Counselling Service, Homeless Action Group, Maths Plus, Music Foundry, North Oxfordshire Community Food Bank, Open Door, Oxford Wheels project, Oxfordshire Unlimited, The Reader’s Voice and Transition Chipping Norton.