A campaign to collect 300,000 to help fight child abuse in Oxfordshire has raised a paltry 588.

Organisers of the NSPCC's Full Stop Campaign (FSC) have been left disappointed at the tiny amount raised since the launch of the appeal six months ago.

They had called on the working population of Oxfordshire nearly 300,000 people to donate 1 each to the FSC appeal, called Give Us a Quid for Kids.

The cash will help fund a vital helpline that abused and neglected children can contact for help and support. Last year, many calls made from needy youngsters in Oxfordshire went unanswered due to a lack of funding.

But so far less than one per cent of the target total has been raised, as fewer than 600 people have come forward with their 1 donation.

A second target of 200,000 has also been set as part of the FSC and organisers are aiming to reach that total by holding events including a sponsored walk on September 16. A total of 40,000 has already been collected towards that target. Campaign organisers have agreed that the Give Us A Quid for Kids, launched by TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson, has got off to a slow start but they say they are hoping to have reached the overall total of 500,000 by next year.

The NSPCC's major appeal manager for the Thames Valley, Jo Morris, said: "We are very grateful for what we have had donated so far but we simply want more people to show their support for the appeal."

*Anyone who would like to make a donation to the appeal can find collection boxes at all branches of Barclays Bank and NatWest Bank.