CHARITIES in Oxfordshire are celebrating after more than £1m in grants was handed out by the Oxfordshire Community Foundation.

The organisation, covering hundreds of charities, helps to overcome social issues in the area.

One of the groups funded in Oxfordshire was Children Heard and Seen, a charity that works to mitigate the effects of parental imprisonment on children.

Oxfordshire Community Foundation gave Children Heard and Seen £7,924 in 2017–18 to assist with rental costs and to run family days in HMP Bullingdon and HMP Huntercombe.

Jayne Woodley, Chief Executive of Oxfordshire Community Foundation, said “At the start of the last financial year we committed to making over £1 million in grants for the first time in our history.

“We are delighted to have exceeded that milestone, both by making it simpler for groups to apply for small grants, but also by giving away more substantial amounts and covering running costs for local charities to carry out their vital core work.”