A Cambridgeshire-based group which offers short breaks for young people with disabilities and complex behaviour needs has received a donation to fund its calendar of day trips.

Woodland Lodge Short Breaks, supported by Action for Children, has been awarded £1,000 by Persimmon Homes East Midlands as part of its Community Champions scheme after bosses were impressed with their project.

Holly Canham, who made the successful application on behalf of the Huntingdon-based charity, said: “Woodland Lodge is a short breaks children's home which supports 50 children a year who have physical disabilities or complex behaviour needs.

“We want all the young people to achieve their full potential and equip themselves as well as possible for adult life. To support this aim funding would go towards providing fun activity days.

“Activities would include bowling, cinema, trips on the train to other areas such as Cambridge, Peterborough or the seaside, zoo trips, swimming and hydrotherapy sessions.

“Activities are a key element in building confidence, self-esteem and learning to make healthy choices, in addition to making a positive difference to the children’s experiences at Woodland Lodge. This donation will go a long way to helping us create these opportunities.”

Nova Eames, sales director for Persimmon Homes East Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to support everyone at Woodland Lodge Short Breaks with their much-needed work and the whole team here at Persimmon Homes hope the children enjoy a varied and fun-filled programme of activities.”

Persimmon Homes East Midlands launched Community Champions in 2015 with a view to helping community groups, charities and good causes across the region.

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 came into effect from April.

Each month the housebuilder donates up to £1,000 each to two groups or individuals through the match-funded scheme. Nova added: “We would urge any group working with older people to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try and become our next Community Champion.”