In March, we announced that our Community Champions scheme was to solely help the over-70s for the foreseeable future.

We launched Community Champions with a view to helping community groups, charities and good causes nationwide with two donations of up to £1,000 made locally every month.

However, as the nation started to feel the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak, we felt that elderly communities were in the most need of support. The change of direction came into effect from April, with the donations for that month and subsequently going to groups that work with and support the over-70s and continuing until further notice.

The Community Champions initiative is run by all 31 of our operating businesses - together with our Plc head office - with £64,000 donated every month. Since it was launched in 2015, our Community Champions scheme has donated more than £3m to around 3,500 groups.

We always believed in supporting the communities where we build, especially grassroots activities, and we hope people understand our desire to specifically support the over-70s at this time.

To apply to Community Champions, visit: www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.