Regional housebuilder Persimmon Homes Essex has shortlisted three groups supporting under-18s to go forward for a chance to win up to £100,000 through its Building Futures campaign.
The groups have been selected from three categories targeting grassroots sports groups, health organisations and arts & education projects.
The Endeavour School Anchorage Association in Brentwood will represent the arts & education category at the national final, Rochford Town & Sports Social Club has been selected to represent sport and Chelmsford-based Kids Inspire.
The Endeavour is a special educational needs school that cares for and educates children with complex needs, learning disabilities and physical disabilities. The school has applied for the funding to refurbish our school library and hall, which dates to when the school first opened in 1970 – including new learning resources and gym equipment for the hall. Additionally, it would sustain and expand upon therapy provision, which supports the learners with their social and emotional wellbeing.
Rochford Town Sports is a not-for-profit sports and social club that promotes and facilitates football coaching and training, while also providing activities for the wider local community. The club, funded through sponsorship activities, social members’ contributions and fundraisers, has seen a huge increase in players and are actively working to promote girls’ football. The club would use the money to expand and renovate its clubhouse facilities, including the building of two new unisex changing rooms with showers and referee room.
Kids Inspire supports children, young people and their families who are affected by trauma, family breakdown and emerging mental health issues in Essex. Each child receives bespoke support, including creative therapies, mentoring and/or family therapy. Funding would benefit Kids Inspire’s most complex cases, supporting children age 5-19yrs who are affected by issues that include bereavement, neglect, abuse and trauma.
Building Futures is being delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, which last year donated £620,000 to support children’s sport.
Through Building Futures, a total of 128 grants of £1,000 have been awarded across Persimmon’s 31 regional businesses and its head office this year.
Persimmon Homes is an official partner of Team GB and the Persimmon Charitable Foundation enlisted the help of medal-holding athletes Kat Copeland and Callum Skinner to help determine the three regional finalists for each business division.
One initiative from each category will go on to win £100,000 each through a national award scheme to be decided by a public vote. There will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize in each sector, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.
Online voting will opened July 23 and run for six weeks until September 27. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at York Racecourse on Tuesday, October 8.
