THREE charities have been given the best Christmas present they could ask for after securing thousands of pounds towards vital projects thanks to the Oxford Mail.

Abingdon Riding for the Disabled (RDA), ARCh in Bicester, and Katharine House Hospice in Banbury were all picked to receive more than £16,000 between them.

They applied to the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the Oxford Mail’s parent company, which each year hands out grants to good causes across Oxfordshire.

Abingdon RDA, a group that allows disabled people to experience the joy of horse riding, was awarded £5,000 to go towards two field shelters for ponies, to protect them from harsh weather.

Chairman of Abingdon RDA Ann Barlow said: “We are absolutely thrilled.

“When it’s pouring with rain we need these shelters really badly.  Everybody who knows about it is delighted. It’s the sort of money we just don’t have at the moment. It’s a lovely surprise.”

ARCh Bicester, a charity that works closely with children all across Oxfordshire who are reluctant to read, received £3,900 to buy new books.

And Katharine House Hospice, in Banbury, which provides free care for those with terminal illnesses, was awarded £7,265 for a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle.