Crossword Genius

Following vote chairman keeps back, this brings relief (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oxfam

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'brings relief' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'following vote chairman keeps back' is the wordplay.
'following' becomes 'f' (used when citing page numbers etc).
'vote' becomes 'x' (how votes are marked).
'chairman' becomes 'Mao' (Chinese leader Chairman Mao).
'keeps' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are kept inside).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'f'+'x'='fx'
'fx' put within 'mao' is 'mafxo'.
'mafxo' in reverse letter order is 'OXFAM'.

'this' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oxfam that I've seen before include "relief agency" , "Disaster-relief charity" , "A famine-relief charity" , "Famine relief charity" , "Famine relief organisation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app