A CHARITY which uses art to boost the confidence of vulnerable children received thousands of pounds from the charitable arm of the parent company of The Oxford Times.

The Art Room at Rose Hill Primary School, Oxford, was given £2,300 by the Gannett Foundation to buy a printing press and sewing machines.

The charity, which also has bases at Oxford Spires Academy and Orchard Meadow School in Blackbird Leys, helps youngsters aged five to 16 who are experiencing difficulties.

Director Juli Beattie said: “Children who attend the Art Room all benefit from learning and achieving through art.

“We recently had a printmaker run a ten-week workshop, which was such a success the students have all been keen to pursue the craft.

“The sewing workshops have been such a hit that we have decided to incorporate sewing into the curriculum.”

The charity helps children from Oxford Spires Academy, Church Cowley, East Oxford, St Francis, Rose Hill, Orchard Meadow, Pegasus, St John Fisher and Windale schools.

Many of the youngsters struggle with mainstream education, are disruptive, or withdrawn, or have been identified as needing special time away from their school.

Others may have specific learning difficulties or an interrupted education, while some have recently arrived in this country, are carers within their family or are in care.

Ms Beattie added: “We work closely with the schools to ensure that we incorporate the National Curriculum and support the young artists at a time when they most need it.”

Every six months, the Gannett Foundation hands out about £250,000 to charities in the UK. In December Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage Talking Newspaper (Dawn) received £6,848.