A Sandwell charity has scooped £20,000 as part of Persimmon Homes’ hugely successful charity campaign supporting under-18s.
Sandwell Young Carers won one of the top prizes in the Persimmon Homes Building Futures campaign, which encouraged applications in three categories – education & arts, health, and sport.
The charity finished third in the education and arts category after a public vote, representing Persimmon’s Central region.
Sandwell Young Carers provide guidance and support to children and young people (aged 5-18) whose health, education and social lives are affected as a result of caring for a dependent family member.
Tracey Hawkins, CEO, said: “What brilliant news! I want to say a huge thank you to Persimmon Homes and everyone involved in the Building Futures campaign. I cannot express what a difference the funds will make to our small charity and the young carers we support.”
Persimmon Homes has handed out more than £1 million in cash prizes to organisations across England, Scotland and Wales as part of the campaign. The first, second and third prize winners in each category were decided by a public vote with around 200,000 votes cast.
The housebuilder congratulated 96 organisations for getting to the final stage of its Building Futures competition. Three finalists were each awarded the top prize of £100,000, three the second prize of £50,000 and three the third prize of £20,000.
The remaining finalists were handed £5,000 each. Also representing the Central region were Baby Godiva and Our Community Foundation.
Persimmon Group CEO Dean Finch said: “Building Futures has been a hugely successful campaign and has given us the opportunity to recognise some amazing organisations across the UK that do such valuable work with young people.
“The pandemic has put a huge strain on the finances of charities and volunteer-led groups so these awards will make a tremendous difference to the work they are able to do and the lives of thousands of young people. It’s a real privilege to be able to support them in this way – and a huge congratulations to our big winners.”
The £100,000 prize winner in the sport category was Wotton Community Sports Foundation, while Change of Scene secured the award for education & arts and The Children's Hospital Charity won for health. The second prize of £50,000 went to Great Melton Cricket Club for sport, Warren Association Trust for education & arts and Senses Wellbeing Centre C.I.C for health.
In third place, Newcastle Powerchair Football Club scooped £20,000 for sport, with Islastones Foundation receiving the health award. With £128,000 already awarded this year in £1,000 grants through Building Futures, the total prize pot was £1.073million.
The Persimmon Charitable Foundation and Team GB athletes Dani Rowe and Karen Bennett selected the finalists after more than 2,500 clubs, groups and organisations entered the Building Futures competition. While Building Futures 2021 has concluded, Persimmon continues to give away up to £64,000 every month through its Community Champions scheme.
