An appeal has been launched to raise £60,000 to help Oxfordshire's most disadvantaged individuals afford basic essentials.

Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) aims to boost its Living Essentials Fund to assist those struggling with housing, food, and warmth.

The fund will provide grants to grassroots charitable organisations across the county.

The appeal comes after OCF's research report, Oxfordshire Uncovered, highlighted an ongoing need for support with basic necessities.

It found Oxford residents spend half of their income on rent, compared to a national average of 31 per cent.

The report also showed there were 2,091 homeless households in Oxfordshire in 2024, and energy bills are now 49 per cent higher than in 2020/21.

Zoe Sprigings, chief executive at OCF, said: "Our Oxfordshire Uncovered report highlighted the needs in our county and this insight is shaping our grant-making.

"Our Living Essentials Fund will help the most vulnerable people in Oxfordshire to have firmer foundations for life."

The foundation is aiming to raise at least £150,000 for a round of Living Essentials funding to be delivered before Christmas, having already raised £90,000.

Claire Hughes, head of grants and inclusion at OCF, said: "The charities we work with are telling us that people are still feeling the impact of the increased cost of living.

"Families are facing debt that has built up and are still struggling to cope with soaring costs.

"Support from charitable organisations is an absolute lifeline for them right now."