A LOCAL youth club is in the running for a £5,000 grant to help it develop its programme.

The Kidlington Youth Programme, based at the Forum Youth Centre in Oxford Road, is in eighth place in a national campaign, voted for by the public to give funding to small charities and organisations.

If it gets to the top spot by Tuesday, October 1, it will receive a grant from Kumho Tyres, one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, which is running a £100,000 Cash for Causes campaign.

Team leader at the club, Mark Eley, said it would be “great” to win the additional funding.

He said: “It would mean an awful lot to get the money. We could put it towards employing a part-time youth worker, develop our media suite and create new activities.”

Other areas for development include more one-on-one mentoring sessions for the young people and introducing dance and cooking workshops.

Cash for Causes sees Kumho Tyres’ UK retailers nominate local causes, who in turn receive funding proportional to the amount of tyres bought in each retail shop.

Kidlington Tyre and Exhaust Centre in Langford Lane has nominated the Kidlington Youth Programme to receive a share of the £100,000, as well as Kidlington Girlguiding centre’s rebuilding project.

But people can also vote in the company’s online campaign to help the youth club win £5,000 on top of the amount they get from the tyre sales option.

Mr Eley added: “We want to see a legacy left for young people in the area and can advance our work with the money.”

The youth club, founded in October 2011, is held every Friday for children and young adults in school years seven to 13.

It was awarded £10,000 from Oxfordshire County Council’s big society fund two years ago, backed by county councillor for Kidlington South, Maurice Billington.

Mr Billington said: “The club does a worthwhile job and I hope they get the additional money. It’s a marvellous place for young people.”

The youth club is volunteer-run by 13 people, many of whom are members of Lifehouse Community Church, Kidlington.

Another volunteer, Mike Horswell, 28, a PhD student, said: “I think the youth club is very important in the area.

“We’ve got ambitions to grow the work we do, such as offering more nights and expanding our work into schools.

“The money would be a step towards securing it.”

To vote for the Kidlington Youth Programme, visit kumhocauses.com by Tuesday, October 1.