AN OXFORD law firm is leading the way in attempts to raise £15m for charity.

Solicitors Withy King became the first business to rise to the ‘Jubilee challenge’ this week when they donated £10 for each year of the Queen’s 60-year reign to the Jubilee Fund for Oxfordshire.

Now the firm is hoping many of the county’s other 25,000 business will follow suit and help raise £15m for good causes.

Withy King donated £600 to the fund, which has been set up in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year to support the work of local volunteer-run groups and charities, many of which are struggling to survive.

The firm’s associate and charity committee member, Mike Cooper, pictured, said: “Withy King are delighted to come on board and join the effort. Donate to celebrate — it really couldn’t be any easier. We look forward to seeing the difference the Jubilee Fund for Oxfordshire will make.”

The Jubilee Fund, supported by The Oxford Times, is being run by the Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF), which will be laying down a series of fundraising challenges throughout this year. And the first — the Jubilee Magic 60 Challenge on February 29 — is aimed at the county’s business owners. OCF’s chief executive, Jayne Woodley, explained: “This is a win-win situation for participating businesses.

“As an employer you are effectively getting your staff for free on the February 29, because it is a leap year, so what better day to consider donating the equivalent of just 60 minutes or an hour of your payroll cost to our Jubilee Fund?”

She continued: “Local community groups are facing real challenges with serious funding cuts, yet more and more people are in need of their support and vital services.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Withy King for getting the ball rolling and encourage others to now come on board.

“We believe this is a fitting way for local people to join together and turn their admiration and respect for Her Majesty into a lasting legacy that will recognise and celebrate the work of all those who give their time and energy into making our own local communities so special. This is about getting Oxfordshire not only ‘doing together’, but doing ‘the right thing together’.”

OCF will head an independent panel that will allocate Jubilee Fund money to the people and groups that need it most.

Established in 1995, OCF works with businesses and organisations to help vulnerable people and projects. To date it has contributed more than £3m to groups including Blackbird Leys Choir and Rose Hill Youth Club.

The Jubilee Magic 60 Challenge will be held on February 29 and all businesses are being asked to make a £600 donation.

Businesses that take part will be featured on OCF’s website.

Plus, the first 60 businesses to donate will also see their £600 doubled by the government’s Community First programme.

Their generosity will also earn them their own diamond-shaped marker on the Jubilee Fund for Oxfordshire map.

The Jubilee Fund was launched by Prince Edward on a visit to the county in January.

Businesses wishing to donate should email jubilee@oxfordshire.org Individuals wanting more information about the Jubilee Fund and how they can donate or fundraise should visit the OCF’s website at oxfordshire.org