A GROUP working to set up Oxford’s first city farm are leading the county’s bid for £25,000 in charitable funding.

The Oxford City Farm group is one of 19 charities, groups and organisations from Oxfordshire trying to get the money from Aviva.

Thousands of bids have been submitted from across the UK and the finalists will be decided by a public vote.

People have until Saturday May 30 to vote, then judges will choose from the most popular groups and causes to give money to.

The farm steering group, which is planning the farm for a site off Cornwallis Road, Cowley, has more than 4,000 votes so far.

Chairwoman Lucie Mayer said: “We want to transform the currently derelict farm site into a beautiful, innovative, inclusive, thriving and free to enter community space.

“This project is about bringing farming and a wide range of associated social and educational opportunities to the heart of East Oxford.

“The funding being applied for is key to making the farm a reality.

“We will use it to get essential infrastructure in place.

“This means bringing water and electricity to the farm, connecting the drains and ensuring it is safe and secure by upgrading fencing and gates.

“It will also fund a polytunnel which will provide some flexible growing space as well as shelter for volunteers.

“The farm is at a really crucial stage in its development.

“We would like the public to play a part in making the farm a reality by voting.”

The Riding for the Disabled Association group in Abingdon is in second place out of the county’s group, with more than 3,000 votes.

It has planning permission for a new indoor riding school and now need £185,000 to build it.

Chairwoman Ann Barlow said: “A new indoor school would guarantee regular exercise for the children as it would enable classes to continue throughout the year even in the worst weather.

“It is vital for many of the children that they are able to exercise in a warmer environment and a new indoor school would provide this.”

The Aviva Community Fund will finance over 362 entries across four different funding levels – £1,000, £10,000 and £25,000 – and anyone in the UK can vote.

People get 10 votes which they can cast at any time before May 30, on one project or 10 different groups.

The votes so far

  • Oxford City Farm 4,013
  • Riding for the Disabled Association Abingdon Group 3,383
  • Abingdon DAMASCUS Youth Project 2,472
  • Woodstock CE Primary School 1,959
  • Girlguiding Kidlington 1,757
  • 33rd Oxford Scout Group 1,478
  • Long Hanborough Methodist Church 1,055
  • Base 33 1,038
  • Wolvercote Young People’s Club 1,025
  • The Orders of St John Care Trust 1,014
  • Against Breast Cancer 960
  • Sustainable Wantage 817
  • Blue Skye Thinking 507
  • Hendred Preschool 500
  • Cholsey Youth Club 478
  • Community Transport Oxford 304
  • Allsorts Preschool 285
  • Abingdon Youth FC 242
  • Saving Langdale Hall 0
  • For more information and to vote visit community-fund.aviva.co.uk