A sea cadet unit in Cumbria is £1,000 closer to its dream of a permanent home, thanks to Persimmon Lancashire.

Whitehaven Sea Cadets were selected to receive the funding through the Building Futures scheme, which aims to support community groups working with under-18s.

The group helps local young people to develop their life and employability skills through teamwork and adventurous activities.

Simon Ferguson, chairman of Whitehaven Sea Cadets, said: “Since losing our permanent home in the 2013 storms, we have been provided support by the county Police Commissioner, and more recently use of a redundant building by a local businessman – but really we want our own premises again, to allow us to expand the unit and welcome more young people.”

Currently, the unit has 25 cadets, aged between 10 and 18. Through various activities such as sailing, windsurfing, climbing and camping, they learn teamwork, respect, loyalty, self-confidence, commitment, self-discipline and honesty.

Building Futures will see £1million given away across Britain to regional charities, groups, sports clubs and schools to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects across three categories – education & arts, health and sport.

In addition to hundreds of local donations of £1,000, 96 initiatives will go on to compete for top prizes of £100,000 through a national online public vote with the overall winners announced in October.