COMMUNITY and charity groups granted a more secure future have spoken of their relief at being given up to £1,000 each.

The 41 projects across Oxfordshire given cash from a pot of £36,209 were announced last month. Today the Oxford Mail looks at some more of the groups given a lifeline to carry on their community work.

Chief executive of the Oxfordshire Community Foundation, Jayne Woodley, said: “Funding is one thing which plagues all these voluntary groups, so hopefully we will have removed that constant dilemma so they can be more confident about the future.

"It is for people who want to help others. They really care about those who use their groups and come to them for help and it is a huge amount of worry to take on.

“They are not being paid for the concern they take on but they can’t help it.”

Sue Wicks, UK grants manager at Comic Relief, said: “We’re delighted that so many groups applied for Red Nose Day Community Cash in Oxford. Supporting elderly people and inclusive sports shows the diversity of local groups making a big difference in their community.”

 

Grant helps buy new mobile gym equipment

Oxford Mail:

FIGHTING FIT: Above, coach Katie Setch at Windrush Valley Amateur Boxing Club in Bampton

 

WINDRUSH Amateur Boxing Club was granted £960 to buy more equipment.


The Bampton club launched a mobile boxing unit five years ago.


Its bus carries equipment and coaches to run sessions for schools, disabled groups, and youth clubs across 50 rural parishes in west Oxfordshire.


It encourages the disabled and young people to engage in the sport.


The club was based in Newlands in Witney but lost everything in the 2007 floods.


Club secretary Ann Setch, whose daughter Katie is pictured, said: “It’s fantastic – it means we can carry on getting out and about to rural areas in west Oxfordshire.


“The mobile gym equipment that we had here had become a bit worn.
“We have had a lot of it for five years so the gloves and particularly the floor-standing spring balls needed to be replaced. We are an inclusive group and it gives people the opportunity to try a sport they wouldn’t necessarily get to try.”

 

Still in good company

Oxford Mail:

VISITING: Volunteer Bilham Woods, left, from Kidlington Good neighbour scheme chats with Peter Rogers, who he visits regularly

 

THE £1,000 granted to the Kidlington Good Neighbour Scheme means it can carry on helping the 158 disabled or elderly people who rely on it for help.


Based at the Kidlington Information Centre in Oxford Road, the money will help pay for rent, meaning the group can stay up and running for another year.


The project’s 60 volunteers visit the disabled and elderly around Kidlington to either help out with chores or keep them company.


Organiser Sally Shenton said: “We have been running for three years and it is getting bigger and better than ever.


“It would be criminal if we couldn’t carry on because so many people rely on us.


“Our volunteers go out and help the disabled or elderly in their own homes for anything from changing a light bulb, to shopping with them or mowing the lawn.


“They spend about an hour a week just chatting to them because some of them are very lonely.”


Bilham Woods is one of the volunteers for the scheme and he visits Peter Rogers.
The 82-year-old said: “There are a lot of people living by themselves now and they get lonely and don’t have anyone to speak to.


“It gives them something to look forward to. I don’t mind talking to someone either, I live on my own too.”

 

Young rowers can stay afloat

Oxford Mail:

KEEN: Morgan Tadman, Emma Ottosen and Kitty Knight, all 10, with Nick Barnette

 

Oxford Mail:

OPEN TO ALL: Peter Travis with Maria Musgaard and Emma Sheppard

 

FALCON Rowing and Canoeing Club can buy kayaking paddles for its juniors with the £1,000 cash boost.


The club coaches more than 200 children in the sport. It aims to open up the river to the public, not just university and private school rowers.


Club president Peter Travis said: “We were delighted to find out we got the grant. We work with people from the local community to open up the river more. A lot of people see it as just a place for the university but we say come on, it is for everyone to get fit and enjoy.


“We have had a lot of people join since the Olympics and we are lucky in Oxford – we are well situated on the Thames.


“The money will mean we can buy some equipment. Buying boats is expensive and the kids have to have special smaller paddles.


“The problem is little kids need one size and the small kids need another until they get stronger.”


All the coaching at the club is done by about 40 volunteers.