AN Oxfordshire charity said a grant from the Gannett Foundation had been a massive help as it encouraged others to apply for funding this year.

The Gannett Foundation is again offering grants of up to £10,000 to charitable causes across Oxfordshire.

The Oxfordshire Playbus, based at Heyford Park, near Bicester, was handed £2,879 last year so it could buy a 20ft by 12ft stage for music festivals.

It was one of three charities across Oxfordshire awarded grants.

Both Oxford-based Yellow Submarine and SpecialEffect in Charlbury were also given donations by the Foundation.

Tym Soper, of Oxfordshire Playbus, said: “I would tell anyone to go for it. It’s really good and has really helped us. It’s a simple process and it was great to be involved.

“We have as a charity been around since 1979, but being a part of this has helped us raise our profile and we have had a number of people contact us on the back of it.”

He added: “The use of the stage has really extended what we can provide for the community. We are able to give groups the chance to perform and will be providing the stage at Chipping Talent over the Bank Holiday and at the beginning of summer we had about 20 dancers from a troupe on the stage performing in Wallingford.

“We are now in negotiations with the World of Rock to get bands together at the end of their workshops so they can perform to their friends.”

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett, which owns Newsquest Oxfordshire and the Oxford Mail.

Charities and groups can apply for a grant of between £5,000 and £10,000.