Persimmon Homes, which has given monthly donations to community groups for the past five years, has announced that the scheme is to solely help the over-70s for the foreseeable future.

The company 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 starts to feel the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak, the housebuilder feels that, at the moment, elderly communities are in the most need of support.

The change of direction will come into effect from April, with the donations for that month going to groups that work with and support the over-70s. This will continue until further notice. The March donations will be open to all community groups, in line with previous months.

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

Persimmon Homes said it has always believed in supporting the communities where it builds, especially grassroot activities, and it hopes people understand its desire to specifically support the over-70s at this time.

To apply to Community Champions, visit: www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions