Persimmon Homes Durham has gifted £1,000 to a County Durham dog rescue centre struggling to meet daily running costs amid the Covid crisis.

Stray Aid, based in Coxhoe, has been handed the funds through the Community Champions scheme supporting charities and good causes at grassroots level in the areas in which the business builds.

Stray Aid is still providing care and shelter for dogs in the region and is accepting animals on a daily basis but is suffering from a lack of fundraising opportunities.

Lee Henderson, community engagement and kennel manager, said: “We are appealing for help to meet veterinary costs for the dogs. The Covid situation has put a stop to our regular fundraising and it costs £965 a day to keep the rescue going and to maintain our safe haven for stray, abandoned and lost dogs.

“We would like to thank Persimmon Homes Durham for supporting us and gifting us £1,000 to help with our service as we continue to receive dogs on a daily basis.”

Christine Cooper, sales director for Persimmon Homes Durham, said: “We strongly believe in supporting the communities where we build and are delighted to make the donation to Stray Aid through our Community Champions campaign.”

The Persimmon Homes Community Champions initiative invites groups and charities who have already worked hard to raise money themselves to apply for match-funding of up to £1,000.

Christine added: “We’ve made it really simple to apply for funding, and we’re urging good causes and charities to apply for donations by completing an online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity ”