A GIANT Red Nose Day dinosaur was on the loose around Oxford on Monday.

Dinosesaur Dinomite was spreading Comic Relief cheer ahead of national Red Nose Day 2013 on March 15.

But he had a serious message too – to spread the Red Nose Day word and urge Oxford’s community groups to apply for a share of £50,000.

Small groups making a big impact on the lives of people in Oxfordshire can apply for between £500 to £1,000 of funding as part of the Red Nose Day Community Cash grant scheme.

Spotted at Oxford Castle, Cornmarket Street and punting by Oxford Magdalen College Tower, the Red Nose Day dinosaur made people stop and think.

Alasdair de Voil, who lives in the city centre, was among those to take a second look.

He said: “I just happened to see it going past and was curious about what was going on. It made me stop.”

Comic Relief spokesman Catherine Donegan said: “Dinomite appears to have had a great deal of fun in Oxford seeing the city for himself.

“The globetrotter is on a mission to visit the farthest regions of the United Kingdom.

“The three giant dinosesaurs are tearing up the UK exploring more than 20 cities as Comic Relief encourages the nation to do something funny for money in preparation for this year’s Red Nose Day.”

The Red Nose Day Community Cash grant scheme is being offered to up to 50 groups in Oxfordshire.

It is the second time the county has taken part in the scheme.

It is being run in conjunction with Oxford Community Foundation, Comic Relief and the Oxford Mail.

Comic Relief UK grants manager Sue Wicks said: “Comic Relief is delighted to be working with the Oxford Mail offering Red Nose Day Community Cash once again to local groups around Oxford.

“We know from our long experience of grant making in communities all over the UK that local groups can make a huge impact at the heart of their communities with a small amount of money. “Thanks to these groups, money raised through Red Nose Day can make a real difference where it’s needed most. “With less than three weeks until Red Nose Day, I urge as many groups as possible to get their applications in now for their chance to get a grant from the £50,000 on offer.”

  • To apply for a share of £50,000 go to oxfordshire.org/cp6.php by March 8 or call 01865 798 666.
  • If you have any questions or would like to discuss your project before making an application, contact the Oxfordshire Community Foundation on 01865 798666 or email jubilee@oxfordshire.org