Children from four Newcastle schools will enjoy a safer journey to school thanks to funding from a regional builder.

The Parklands Community Crossing in Gosforth has been granted £1,000 by Persimmon Homes North East, allowing them to continue supporting a crossing warden to help pupils from Gosforth Park First, Broadway East First, St Oswald’s Primary and Gosforth East Middle schools.

Since funding for crossing patrols was cut four years ago organisers of the community crossing have raised almost £20,000 to assist children at the four Gosforth schools.

Rebekah Stephenson, who applied for the funding, said: “We have held a giant interschool raffle, organised a silent golf auction and received ward council funding to keep the crossing patrol for our children over the last four years.”

“This year Covid has all-but halted our fundraising activities so it is especially wonderful to receive this grant. We understand that the Community Champions scheme gets a lot of applications, so the children, their parents, staff and volunteers are all extremely grateful to be chosen.”

Persimmon Homes North East sales director Debbie Zaben said: “We are delighted to donate this money to the community crossing. It’s evident that the organisers have worked hard to fundraise for themselves and we wanted to give them a helping hand.”

The Community Champions programme enables clubs, groups and good causes to apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves. Each month Persimmon Homes North East donates two cash pots - each worth up to £1,000.

This also happens across Persimmon’s other 31 operating areas, meaning up to £64,000 is dished out every single month – a total of £768,000 a year.

For more information on Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme and to apply visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity