MORE than £57,000 has been raised for a new base for a cafe for homeless people in Oxford in just more than two months.

The Gatehouse, which offers free refreshments six days a week, was earlier served notice earlier this month by Oxford City Council that it must leave premises in Northgate Hall, St Michael’s Street.

A new home was found at the parish rooms of St Giles Church, Woodstock Road, but the charity needs to raise £175,000 to pay for rent, moving costs, and a contribution to building works needed at the site.

Organisers are a third of the way to their target and in a position for builders to start work less than three months after launching their appeal.

Project director Andrew Smith said: “It has been brilliant.

“We know we have got so many supporters, not just in Oxford, but all over the county, and this proves that.

“We feel we are right on target.”

The parish rooms were being renovated with a new kitchen and layout anyway, but certain changes, including the location of new toilets, are being made for Gatehouse users.

The contribution from the charity will go towards those works.

Since the appeal was launched, 28 individuals and eight groups have made donations, ranging from several thousand pounds to £1 from a homeless guest.

Mr Smith said: “It was a woman we know very well and she said, ‘I haven’t much, but have this towards the appeal’.

“We were very much affected by that.”

Members of the cafe’s art group are also doing their bit, with an exhibition of works 15 of the artists have created currently on display at St Giles Church from midday to 2pm on weekdays.

The works will go on sale on Saturday, July 16, from 1pm to 5pm, with proceeds split between the homeless artists and the fundraising appeal.

Mr Smith said: “We will still be doing the same job, but all the things which have become second nature to us from being in the same building for 20 years, we will be questioning when we move.

“This move will refresh the whole project and I think the same will be true for the homeless guests.”

More than 75 people attend each session, and over 200 volunteers help run the cafe.

Chairman of trustees Andrew Bunch said: “There is still a long way to go, but we are encouraged and determined to create a welcoming new home for the Gatehouse to support homeless and vulnerable people in our city.”

It is planned for the charity to move into the new premises around Christmas.