Cyclists across Oxfordshire are being given another chance to be safe and get discounted cycle helmets through the Oxford Mail.

The Oxford Mail has teamed up with Witney-based Oxford Products to offer bicycle helmets approved to European safety standards from just £6.50 — a saving of nearly £10 on their recommended retail price — for Christmas.

It is the second year the paper has run the campaign, which was launched in the wake of an accident in Iffley Road in July 2007 that left 10-year-old Numaan Khan, of Cowley, fighting for his life.

He had not been wearing a cycle helmet.

Oxford Mail editor Simon O’Neill said: “Oxford is a great city for cycling but it is also a very busy city for traffic, which makes cycle safety particularly important, especially for children.

“Like fastening your seatbelt when you get into a car, putting on your cycle helmet before you ride your bicycle should be the first thing you do.

“With Christmas around the corner, many families will be buying new bicycles for their children.

“We want to remind everyone that along with new bikes, they need to make sure they have the proper equipment to cycle safely.”

Last year, more than 2,000 people took advantage of the offer.

Among the first people queuing up to buy helmets were the Fuller family, from Cowley.

Mum Stella and her sons Joseph and Edward, then aged 15 and 11, all bought helmets as the two boys needed to replace their existing crash hats.

Joseph and Edward’s father Peter said yesterday: “They have been wearing the helmets all the time and they have still got them now.

“My eldest Joseph cycles to school so he’s wearing it every day.

“It is very important and we are conscious of the traffic on the roads, especially up by Cowley centre.

“We make sure they’ve got them on in all weathers.”

In 2007, 32 cyclists aged between 10 and 15 were injured in accidents on the county’s roads — more than one child hurt every fortnight. And five of the young cyclists sustained serious injuries in the accidents.

To get a helmet, you will need the voucher printed in the Oxford Mail all this week. It will also be printed again regularly in the Mail during the campaign.

The helmets are available in a range of colours and sizes and cost just £6.50 for children or £6.50 plus VAT for adults.

They can be bought from our Oxford, Witney, Banbury and Bicester offices between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.