The first £128,000 of a £1 million charity giveaway has been distributed to groups supporting young people across Britain.

The funding – from the Persimmon Homes Building Futures scheme – was awarded to 128 different organisations, with applications received from Caithness to Cornwall.

The initiative aims to support community groups working with under-18s across three categories – education & arts, health and sport.

Dave Jenkinson, group chief executive of Persimmon Homes, said: “The quality of applications to Building Futures has been phenomenal – and humbling. The range of projects, clubs and charities helping young people in our region is amazing and choosing just four to receive one of our £1,000 monthly grants was a really tough task.”

During April and May, Persimmon’s 32 regional businesses made awards to local clubs, schools and charities to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects.

Building Futures is delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Team GB, the British Olympic Association. All of the eligible applications received will be considered for shortlisting into the second phase of the competition, where three initiatives will go on to win £100,000 each through a national online public vote.

In each sector – education & arts, health and sport – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

In addition to Building Futures, every month Persimmon Homes regional business makes two donations of up to £1,000 through its Community Champions scheme. During the coronavirus pandemic, all of this funding is focused on voluntary organisations supporting the over-70s to help alleviate isolation. Applications for these awards can be made at www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions