Three Banbury-based charities among those to scoop share of £1million fund

The awards, set up by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical, will see a total of £1million given to charities across the UK this summer. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 awards of £1,000 available for donation.

Three Banbury-based charities, Dogs for Good, Let’s Play Project, and Adoption UK Charity were among the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the county.

Cathryn Simpson, the corporate manager with Dogs for Good, said: "We used to say ‘imagine if you had not been out of your home for several years,' which is the reality for many of the people we support before our wonderful dogs come into their lives … social isolation is something that many of us are now experiencing first hand.

"It hits home even harder how the work we do makes a life-changing difference when it enables people to confidently and safely go out, live more independently and with far greater social interactions than they had before.

"The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the charity and we have been working hard to manage the impact. The donation will mean that we can to continue to support our clients and dogs whatever their needs are right now."

More than 790 kind-hearted residents voted for a total of 65 charities across the region.

In total, an amazing 253,879 people around the UK supported the Movement for Good awards, with over 13,695 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes. The 500 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated.

Thanking supporters in Oxfordshire, Mark Hews, Group CEO of Ecclesiastical, said: “We have seen an overwhelming public response to our Movement for Good awards and would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause.

"It’s clear that people care deeply about those in need in their region at what is an incredibly testing time for many, and from looking at the nomination data locally, healthcare organisations seem to hold a particularly fond place in the hearts of residents.

“Ecclesiastical is a unique financial services group. We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers.

"As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business.

"We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”

Later this summer, a further ten charities will also be chosen by a panel of judges to receive £50,000 from Ecclesiastical to be put towards the advancement of education, skills, arts, culture and heritage, as well as citizenship or community development.

The successful charities will be announced from Monday September 21.