COWLEY-based charity Oxfam is back in the black after the public donated £98.6m to help the victims of humanitarian crises during 2013/14.

Almost 6m people across the world benefited from the money, including one million in Syria and neighbouring countries, and half a million in the Philippines.

Oxfam’s annual report, released today, said that the charity’s total income rose to £389.1m, up £21m from last year – after it lost £17.6m in income in 2012/13.

Just last week, an advert shown on Channel 4 during Undercover Boss – which featured chief executive Mark Goldring – raised enough to provide three months’ worth of food for 4,500 families.

Mr Goldring said: “I am continually overwhelmed by the British public’s response in times of need.”

The charity had to cut 110 jobs in its Oxford head office last year, part of 125 job losses across the UK, saving about £7.5m.

Oxfam charity shops also improved sales, thanks to national ‘shwopping’ campaigns – where shoppers donate old clothes – involving Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s, with net income up by five per cent to £23.5m.

Trading director Andrew Horton said: “We’re delighted.”

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