OXFORD United's official charity hopes the good feeling from England's Euros exploits can help them make a difference across the county.

A wave of euphoria has swept the nation during Gareth Southgate's side's run to tomorrow's final against Italy at Wembley.

The sight of fans singing together inside packed pubs and stadiums is especially welcome as the country comes out of the coronavirus pandemic.

But Oxford United in the Community (OUITC) knows all about the power of football, having used the sport to support and connect older people across the county during lockdown.

Last August, the charity launched the Manor Club Extra to deliver online and offline programmes, with its usual Manor Club unable to meet due to the pandemic.

Funding for that initiative has run out and OUITC this weekend launches a Euros-themed fundraiser, which will work towards employing someone to continue their work tackling loneliness.

People are asked to choose between donations of £5 per England goal in the final, £10 if a Three Lions star wins the golden boot and £20.20 if Southgate's men win the tournament.

You can also pledge an amount based on your favourite player's number and OUITC chief Chris Lowes says it will have long-lasting benefits.

He added: "It's been a very tough 16 months.

"Football has been that vehicle to bring people together and some of our loneliness projects have really done that.

"The crest that we're riding is a really positive thing.

"It has really galvanised the country and hopefully it has allowed people to benefit from what football can bring.

"It has given everyone an outlet and hopefully everyone will come together for the campaign.

"It's really needed and we're hoping at the back end of the tournament is shows what can be achieved."

Donors also have the option to give an amount of their own choosing, as they continue to help older people become less isolated.

OUITC runs a wide range of initiatives on and off the pitch, including children's holiday camps led by FA-qualified coaches.

Lowes expects England's Euros achievements will mean this summer's courses are more popular than usual.

"Every time there's a tournament you find there's an influx of people," he said.

"For me, the most positive thing is the amount of young people playing football.

"We're finding lots more people are wanting to explore the game for the first time."

Donate to OUITC's fundraiser here: oxfordunited-yc.enthuse.com/#!/