A cancer charity that purchases Christmas presents for children suffering with cancer and leukaemia has received a vital cash boost thanks to Persimmon Homes.

Fatboys charity in Chippenham, Wiltshire has received a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes Wessex as part of its Community Champions scheme.

Persimmon makes £64,000 a month available to fund local community initiatives across the UK.

Established in 1999, the charity was founded in the wake of the passing of Mike ‘Fatboy' Lawless who was a serving Police Officer and a key community figure in Swindon.  

Mike had previously worked as a nurse, played for the local rugby club, and sang for a local rock band but sadly died aged 31 from cancer.

Fatboys raises funds in his memory through kind donations, people doing sponsored events on its behalf, and through an annual fundraising day called the ‘Day of Lawlessness’. 

Stewart Benford, from the charity, said: “We can’t thank Persimmon enough for this £1,000 because it will go such a long way towards reaching our target this year.

“We wouldn’t be able to continue without this kind of support because we’re totally reliant on charitable efforts such as Community Champions, as well as our own fundraising day.

“Nearly all the money raised goes straight to the children we help as we keep our overheads very low, and this is something we’re very proud of.”

Fatboys charity has raised in the region of £200,000 since it launched 22 years ago and has helped hundreds of children suffering with serious illness.

Stewart added: “The fundraising events and general running of the charity are time consuming, and often laborious, but the sight of delight on a child’s face when they eventually receive the benefits of work carried out make it more than worthwhile.

“We believe, and have seen for ourselves, that such a gesture at a special time of year can have an elevating effect on a child regardless of how ill they may be at that particular time.” 

Pauline Fletcher, sales director at Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “We’re delighted to support Stewart and the team at Fatboys, the work they do is absolutely incredible.

“Everyone who is directly connected to the charity carries out work free of charge so to reward their efforts with this £1,000 donation gives me great pleasure.

“Christmas is one of the most special times of the year and we believe that everyone deserves to receive a present, especially children and their families who are going through such a difficult time.

“We can’t wait to see how the money gets used but I’m sure it will but a lot of smiles on faces!”

To apply for Community Champions funding visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.