A gymnastics club in Telford that benefitted from Persimmon Homes funding is celebrating Olympic success after one of its members won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2021.

Alice Kinsella, from Sutton Coldfield, delivered a spectacular performance to help Great Britain win its first women’s team gymnastics medal since 1928, finishing just ahead of Italy.

The 20-year-old trains at Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, who won £50,000 through the Persimmon Homes Healthy Communities competition in 2018.

The club, which was established more than 50 years ago, now boasts state of the art facilities, some of the UK’s best coaches and a reputation for providing quality training.

It offers a range of classes that suit gymnasts of all ages, skills and experience – whether they are a novice or an aspiring world champion like Kinsella.

Christine Still, head coach, said: “In 2018, after 30 years in a shared sports hall, Park Wrekin Gymnastics moved into its own dedicated facility in Wellington.

“The support received from Persimmon Homes helped us to equip our new home with world class equipment and we now have one of the best equipped gymnasiums in the country.  

“We pride ourselves on offering first class coaching in our world class facility and we cater for gymnasts of all abilities from pre-schoolers to new Olympians!”

“We just want to say another massive thank you to Persimmon for their contribution to our successful journey to Tokyo and we hope this will be only the start of our Olympic history making!”

Persimmon’s current funding scheme is Building Futures which aims to support community groups working with under-18s across three categories – education & arts, health, and sport.

A total of 128 grants of £1,000 will be awarded across Persimmon’s 32 regional businesses this year to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects.

Three initiatives will then go on to win £100,000 each through a national online public vote. The winners will be named at a gala dinner for finalists in November.

In each sector – education & arts, health, and sport – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Stephen Cleveley, managing director for Persimmon Homes West Midlands, said: “We’re absolutely delighted for Alice and everyone at Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club.

“To win the first women’s Olympic team medal in 93 years for Team GB is a truly outstanding achievement and we’re proud to have played a small part in her incredible journey.

“Building Futures is all about supporting young people in our communities so hopefully this news will inspire a new generation to join their local sports club and show them that anything is possible.”

To apply for Building Futures funding visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity. Applications close on 15 August 2021.