A support group for parents of children with special needs has been awarded £1,000 from Persimmon Homes South West to help see them through the worst of Covid-created social isolation.

The funds have been gifted through the Community Champions initiative which has been supporting worthy causes across the region since its launch in 2015.

Louisa Weir, who applied for the funds on behalf of Tissues and Issues, which is based in Torquay, explained: “During Covid Tissues and Issues has run online support groups so parents could feel less isolated and could continue to develop relationships with other parents in the same situation. When they were able to, they also ran sessions at a local community project.

“Now we just need to hope that lockdown will be lifted soon so that we can resume supporting our families with the events and groups we hold, instead of virtually as we are having to do at the moment. We are hoping to organise a big celebratory picnic in the April half term if restrictions allow so please keep your fingers crossed for us!

“Thank you so much from Tissues and Issues, it really does mean a lot to us.”

Stacey Harris, sales director at Persimmon Homes South West, said: “This charity has a large impact on the lives of its clients and their families and we’re pleased to hand over the funding.

“There are so many people experiencing isolation because of their circumstances during these strange times and groups such as Tissues and Issues are keeping going and doing a fantastic job helping people through tough times.” Stacey urged more causes to apply for funds.

“Persimmon Homes South West has had a fantastic response to its Community Champions scheme and it is always a tricky task to pick our winners each month,”she said.

“If applicants were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next Community Champion. We are always keen to support the communities in which we build.”

The national match-funding programme Community Champions seeks to support groups and charities working to improve the quality of life for local people.

Organisations can apply for funding by completing a simple online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity .