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Charities urged to apply for share of giant cash pot

A Bathgate-based housebuilder has given away more than £18,000 to regional groups and charities in first half of the year and is now urging other organisations to apply as there are still thousands of pounds waiting to be handed out.

Community groups, charities and good causes across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Borders, Midlothian, West Lothian and Falkirk can apply for a donation from Persimmon Homes East Scotland through its Community Champions scheme.

The programme aims to support grassroots activities that improve the quality of life for local people. The scheme invites local groups and charities to bid for a match-funded donation from a national fund, with two donations of up to £1,000 being made locally every month.

Charities and groups benefiting in the region have included 6th Prestonpans Brownies, Midlothian Foodbank, Craigmillar Literacy Trust, Mussleburgh Sea Cadets, Newtongrange Silver Band and Volunteer Midlothian.

Jim Kirkpatrick, managing director of Persimmon Homes East Scotland, said: “There has been a tremendous response to our Community Champions scheme but we are keen to remind charities and organisations that they can still apply.

“We’ve made it really simple to enter by visiting www.persimmonhomes.com/charity and completing an online application form.

“We want to hear from everyone as we’re determined to invest our money where it will help the most. All we ask is that the group or charity has already worked hard to raise money themselves, and we will then match this effort with funding of up to £1,000.” Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions scheme runs alongside the recently-launched Healthy Communities, in which the housebuilder is giving away more than £600,000 to sporting causes across the UK.

Under our healthy Communities scheme a host of regional prizes of £750 are up for grabs each month with amateur sports teams and individuals aged 21 and under eligible to apply for the Persimmon Homes East Scotland awards. The money is to be spent on sports kit, equipment, coaching and facilities.

A shortlist of 30 will be then be created for a national final to be decided by a public vote, with the winning club or individual receiving £200,000 to create a long-lasting legacy, with two runners-up receiving £50,000 each.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Charlotte Greenhalgh .