Scots charities urged to apply for share of cash pot

A Scottish housebuilder has given away around £12,000 to regional charities in the last six months and is now urging other local charities to apply as there are still thousands of pound waiting to be handed out.

Community groups, charities and good causes across East Lothian, Mid Lothian, West Lothian, Fife, Perth and Kinross and Stirlingshire have benefited thanks to the donations from Persimmon Homes East Scotland.

The builder launched its Community Champions fund last spring, to support grassroots activities that improve the quality of life for local people. The scheme 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 locally every month.

The year-long scheme has been running for more than six months with a wide cross-section of charities and groups benefiting in East Scotland, including Lawfield Nursery, in Gorebridge, NCR AFC, in Dundee and Productive Parents, in Gorebridge.

Jim Kirkpatrick, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, said: “There has been a tremendous response to our Community Champions scheme but we are keen to remind Scottish 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.”