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East Midlands athletics star helps to launch sporting fund to create lasting legacy in Notts

Persimmon Homes Nottingham and East Midlands athletic star Niamh Emerson have launched an initiative aimed at giving thousands of pounds to sport groups and individuals. Eighteen-year-old Niamh, who is the current Commonwealth Youth high jump gold medalist and under-18 British record holder in the heptathlon, teamed up with the Nottinghamshire-based business to unveil its Healthy Community scheme. The programme will look to boost sport clubs and rising sporting talent with equipment, coaches and facilities throughout Notts and could net them a grand prize of £200,000. Niamh, who herself is one of the East Midlands’ rising stars, said: “I am proud to be involved in the launch of Persimmon’s Healthy Communities programme. “It’s because of continued support and funding that I have been able to progress through my sport. “The early years of any young athlete is crucial to their development and schemes such as this one can only improve future sporting talent.” In total, Persimmon will be giving away more than £600,000 to sporting causes across the UK over the next 10 months. Healthy Communities is aimed at amateur sports teams and individuals aged 21 years and under in England, Wales and Scotland. Every month each of Persimmon’s 30 regional businesses – including Persimmon Homes Nottingham, headquartered in Mansfield – will hand out £750 to either an individual or sports team in the area. The money is to be spent on sports kit, equipment, coaching or facilities. In January 2018 Persimmon’s 30 businesses will choose a team or individual to represent them in the grand final. An online public vote will decide the overall winner, with one individual or group scooping the £200,000 top prize to create a lasting legacy and two runners-up winning £50,000 each. The other 27 finalists will win £5,000 each. Niahm, who is from Derbyshire, added: “I’m sure that Persimmon Homes’ generous scheme will not only help youngsters who are already involved in sport but also encourage others to get involved and live a fit and healthy lifestyle. “Who knows, maybe the overall winner will come from Nottinghamshire.” The new fund is in addition to the £720,000 the company already donates each year through its hugely successful Community Champions scheme. Neil Follows, managing director for Persimmon Homes Nottingham, said the new campaign was aimed at giving back to the communities in which the company operates. He said: “We’ve already seen first-hand what our Community Champions programme delivers to groups and charities. This new programme is aimed at creating a lasting legacy for young people who love sport and the volunteers who help to deliver it. “Everyone who enters from May to December, regardless of whether they win a monthly prize, will be considered as a finalist. “We are looking for sports teams and individuals who have amazing ideas on how to spend £200,000 to come forward. We will consider anything from new clubhouses, to training centres, facilities or gyms or it may be people want to spend the cash on the development of future Olympians. We’re very excited to see the projects that are put forward.” To find out more to enter the competition visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adam Thompson .