A long-running gymnastics club in Cardiff has received a £1,000 boost to help plug the huge financial gap caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cardiff Central Youth Club has been around for 102 years, but the charity gymnastics club admits the pandemic is putting a massive strain on finances.

Persimmon Homes East Wales has stepped in with grant through its Community Champions scheme.

Gretchen Makinson, of Cardiff Central Youth Club, said: “We are very much struggling to keep our head above the water.

“There has been a big reduction in our income because of the sporadic closures of the club and the very limited participation permitted when we have been able to open.”

“The volunteer Parent Committee is determined to keep the club going but it’s tough, which is why donations like this mean so much.”

The club currently has one member in the Girls British Elite Squad and a further 12 members in the Welsh squads.

Contact with members has been maintained via online classes – and the Persimmon donation will help to pay the coaches’ wages associated with those.

Victoria Williams, sales director at Persimmon Homes East Wales, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the club with this grant.”

“The pandemic is putting a huge strain on sports clubs right across Wales. Volunteers are doing all they can to survive but income has been decimated. We hope that this grant will provide a little bit of breathing space.”

Persimmon is building right across South Wales, including in Cardiff at its huge 1,020-home St Edeyrn’s Village development in Old St Mellons.

Visit www.persimmonhomes.com for more information, or www.persimmonhomes.com/charity to apply for funding.