Partner Article

Housebuilder aids fundraising to find muscular disease cure

The family of a Hampshire youngster who has been diagnosed with a muscle-wasting disease have seen their fundraising efforts to find a cure for the condition boosted by a leading UK housebuilder.

Persimmon Homes Thames Valley has selected the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK to receive £800 as a part of its Community Champions scheme, which seeks to support groups and charities working to improve quality of life or environment for the community.

Harrison Loosen, from Baughurst, was diagnosed with the condition last November and has since found it harder than normal to carry out regular activities such as walking upstairs and taking part in physical exercise.

The donation from Persimmon will be used to fund research to find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy.

Philip Loosen, Harrison’s father, said: “It is difficult for Harrison because he has a twin brother (Conner) and he is starting to learn he can’t run as fast as him and it is tough when he does physical exercise.

“The condition is one which gets worse when people who are affected get older but there is a lot of work going on around the country to try and raise funds to develop research to help find a cure.

“As a family and group of friends, we do everything we can to play a part in that and the donation from Persimmon Homes gives us a huge helping hand towards that. We are very grateful for their contribution.”

The Loosen family are overseeing the raising of thousands of pounds in the Hampshire area this year through events including a danceathon, race night and charity football tournament.

The Community Champions initiative invites local groups and charities to bid for cash from a £750,000 national fund, with two donations of up to £1,000 being made in the region each month.

Rachel Faulkner, sales director for Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, said: “We are proud to be supporting Harrison and his family, as well as thousands of other people around the country suffering from muscle wasting illnesses.

“Persimmon Homes Thames Valley has had a fantastic response to its Community Champions scheme and it is always a tricky task to pick our winners each month.

“If applicants were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next Community Champion.”

Organisations can apply for funding by completing a simple online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ross Watson .